How Disclosure Has Transformed Freetown’s Climate Plans

Over the past few years, the city has emerged as a trailblazer in leveraging climate data to drive impactful strategies, owing to its commitment to transparency through CDP reporting. The development of Freetown’s emissions inventory marked a pivotal milestone in its climate journey, unveiling critical insights and enabling transformative initiatives.

In its first emissions inventory – a key element of disclosing through CDP – Freetown discovered that energy consumption accounted for 40% of the city’s total greenhouse gas emissions. This significant figure was largely attributed to the widespread use of wood and charcoal for household cooking, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas.

These emissions, however, have counterbalanced the environmental benefits of the city’s ambitious #FreetownTheTreeTown campaign, which has planted over one million trees and aims to plant an additional four million by 2028 to combat deforestation and enhance urban resilience.

The emissions inventory also highlighted substantial contributions from the waste and transport sectors, so Freetown has adopted an integrated approach to reduce emissions from stationary energy, transportation, and waste by focusing on both avoided and sequestered emissions. With total emissions amounting to 1,215,130 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, the data has provided Freetown with a clear roadmap for prioritizing interventions.

Targeted actions for climate mitigation

Recognizing the urgency of addressing energy-related emissions, Freetown has integrated key initiatives into its first Climate Action Plan. These include the following:

• A cable car system: This transformative, eco-friendly transportation initiative powered mostly by clean, renewable electricity (approximately 80%) aims to reduce reliance on fossil-fuel-powered vehicles, significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Beyond its climate benefits, the cable car system will alleviate traffic congestion, improve air quality, and mitigate urban heat island effects.

• Waste-to-energy systems: A pilot project in one of the city’s informal settlements has successfully implemented a small-scale off-grid electricity system powered by waste. This system provides clean, reliable energy for community facilities, including public toilets/showers, street lighting, and mobile phone charging stations. The success of this initiative presents an opportunity for wider replication across the city.

• Improved cookstoves and alternative fuels: To reduce dependence on wood and charcoal, the city has introduced improved cooking stoves and alternative fuels, such as briquettes and biogas derived from waste. These efforts have both mitigated emissions and complemented the city’s efforts to combat deforestation and improve air quality.

The emissions inventory findings have strengthened the synergy between Freetown's Climate Action Plan and the #FreetownTheTreeTown campaign. While the campaign focuses on restoring urban green spaces and sequestering carbon, the energy-related actions address the root causes of deforestation. Together, these initiatives represent a holistic approach to mitigating climate impacts and enhancing urban sustainability.

The impact of CDP reporting

CDP disclosure has proven transformative for Freetown, enabling the city to access technical expertise, global networks, and funding opportunities. The process has fostered accountability and transparency, positioning Freetown as a regional leader in urban climate action.

Freetown’s experience underscores the transformative power of data-driven decision-making in tackling urban climate challenges. Through CDP reporting, the city has not only identified key areas for intervention but has also demonstrated how transparency and action can lead to meaningful progress.

As Freetown continues its journey toward sustainability, it serves as encouragement for cities worldwide. The city’s innovative and collaborative approach highlights the potential for meaningful impact when data-driven strategies meet collective commitment.

查阅所有案例