What Happened?
Cities worldwide are taking aggressive steps to reduce carbon emissions, increase investment in clean energy and boost economic growth in the process.
Austin
Austin, Texas, recently announced its 2025 Generation Plan as an update to its previous climate protection strategy to build a more sustainable community. The new strategy sets lofty goals to be reached within the next five to 10 years including:
- Reducing CO2 emissions by 40 percent by 2024 from 2005 levels
- Increase renewable energy generation goal to 50 percent by 2020 and 60 percent by 2024
- Increase solar energy capacity goal to 400 MW by 2020 – generating $300 million in local economic benefits
- Electric demand reduction of 1,200 MW for 2024
- Expand local clean energy economies by supporting workforce development programs that feed into green companies
- Expand access to solar and weatherization programs for low-income residents
- Halt all additional use of natural gas or relicense nuclear reactors
The new energy efficiency goals were set after Austin received a list of recommendations from Austin Energy based on the results of a feasibility study. Austin Energy outlined refinements to be made to the city’s existing energy strategy, as well as the expected costs , risks and opportunities associated with each action plan.
Covington
Covington, Tennessee, recently invested in new technology able to convert the city’s biomass waste into heat energy. Through a waste-to-fuel gasification system, the city can now transform up to 90 percent of its woodchips and 20 percent of its sewage sludge into heat energy, Take Part reported.
Daily, the city converts 12 tons of biomass into hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the form of a producer gas. This, in turn, becomes heat and electricity while emitting no pollutants. The heat and electricity is then used to power the gasification plant as well as reduce the electric bill at the city’s wastewater treatment facility. Over the next 20 years, Covington expects to enjoy $3.5 million in electricity savings along, Take Part reported.
The total cost of the gasification plant was $2.5 million, and Covington received a $250,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to help launch the facility. The city’s gasification system is unique in that it offers a downdraft process of converting biomass into energy – which is cleaner than the more traditional updraft process.
Promising Cities
A new global movement – Go 100% - is showcasing cities that are pledging to transition to 100 percent renewable energy or zero emissions by 2050. For some of these cities, the goals are even more aggressive with earlier deadlines such as:
- Aspen, Colorado: 100 percent renewable electricity by 2015
- Copenhagen, Denmark: Carbon Neutral by 2025
- Bonaire, the Caribbean: 100 percent renewable energy by 2015
- Munich, Germany: 100 percent renewable electricity by 2025
- Sydney, Australia: 70 percent emissions cuts by 2030
- San Diego, California: 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035
- Isle of Wight, England: 100 percent self-sufficient and renewable by 2020
- Frankfurt, Germany: Zero carbon emissions by 2050
- San Jose, California: 100 percent renewable electricity by 2022
Furthermore, many municipalities and regions are launching energy efficiency programs that involve greater investment in clean technology and workforce development for green industries.
Sustainable Goals
Gov1 has followed the most recent trends in sustainable growth and policies, that aim to lower emissions while supporting economic growth.