Global cities stepping up on climate action

The shift to a low-carbon economy is underway and cities worldwide are stepping up to tackle dangerous climate change. With increasing extreme weather events worldwide, cities are aware of the climate risks they face and are taking vital actions to reduce emissions. In light of the recent IPCC report, we know that urgent action is needed to limit warming to 1.5°C. Cities are taking action to combat climate change today and are planning for the future through ambitious target setting and forward action planning.

To find out how cities are leading the change, explore our infographic below:

1. Focused Acceleration: A strategic approach to climate action in cities to 2030, C40 Cities and McKinsey Centre for Business and Environment, November 2017, c40.org. The report references four action areas: decarbonizing the energy grid, optimizing energy use in buildings, enabling next generation mobility and improving waste management. We have referenced and paraphrased these action areas in this infographic.

2. UN Environment and International Energy Agency (2017): Towards a zero-emission, efficient, and resilient buildings and construction sector. Global Status Report 2017.

3. Shannon Bouton et al. An Integrated Perspective on the Future of Mobility, a joint report from McKinsey & Company and Bloomberg New Energy Finance, October 2016, McKinsey.com.

4. Global waste management outlook, United Nations Environment Programme, 2015, unep.org.

To read more about global cities stepping up on climate action, read our latest blog. You can also view our infographic in Portuguese or Spanish.