A new analysis of the use of fossil fuels around the world has found Latin American and European cities are the least reliant on fossil fuels to power their electricity.
The analysis of 308 cities was conducted by not-for-profit organisation CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure project) and engineering firm AECOM.
The results showed that, of participating cities, Latin American cities average 76% of their electricity from clean sources. European cities in the study average 59% from clean power. At the other end of the scale, participating cities in the Asia Pacific region collectively receive just 15% of their electricity from non-fossil fuel sources.
Iceland’s capital Reykjavik gets 100% of its electricity from renewable sources (70% hydro and 30% geothermal) and a number of other cities have made commitments to switching to 100% renewables including Aspen, San Francisco and Santa Monica in the USA and Stockholm in Sweden.
Stockholm mayor Karin Wanngard said the goal for Stockholm was to be, not just climate neutral, but fossil free by 2040.
“I am fully aware that the city must excel in all aspects to reach this goal. Stockholm is already an acknowledged global climate leader, where energy consumption decreases, as do emissions and waste,” she said.
“Measuring and reporting our progress are extremely important tools in helping us succeed and to ensure that the City of Stockholm continues to be a frontrunner when it comes to fighting climate change."
In Australia, Canberra has committed that, by 2020, 90% of its electricity supply will be from large-scale renewables, delivering a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr believes the policy can be good for business and says they have introduced a Renewable Energy Industry Development Strategy or ‘REIDS’.
“Canberra’s investment in renewable energy is returning substantial economic benefits to the ACT,” Barr said.
“The ACT renewable energy auctions together with REIDS are stimulating over a billion dollars of renewable energy infrastructure development, attracting large international business to the ACT, and creating jobs to diversify and strengthen the ACT economy.”