As hubs of economic activity, cities attract many people and are a melting pot of cultures. Worldwide, cities produce between 70-80% of global greenhouse gas emissions and consume up to 70% of energy. In China, urbanization is taking place at one of the fastest rates in the world. In order to reach the international target of less than 2 degrees global warming, cities must take the lead in climate-change mitigation. As a step toward this goal, five Chinese cities have joined the “Low-Carbon Cities China” (LCCC) programme.

The LCCC programme focuses on cities where 70% of Chinese people will live and consume 83% of China’s energy by 2030. The growth rate of China’s cities has been exceptional, increasing incomes and successfully reducing poverty, but contributing up to 70-80% of CO2 emissions in China.

A city-based approach

The low-carbon city approach is an instrument that steers and monitors key municipal climate-change policies in order to review climate change related actions systematically. It allows municipalities to identify strengths, weaknesses and potentials for improvement, and above all, implement more targeted and efficient climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.

A Low Carbon Index System allows municipalities to apply a consistent and action-oriented management system within the municipality. The index is based on the Swiss “Energiestadt” methodology and the European Energy Award.

Low-carbon action plans

Several key municipalities are already developing their low-carbon approaches: in Yinchuan, Ninxia Autonomous Region, Meishan in Sichuan Province, Dongcheng, central district in Beijing, Kunming, in Yunnan, Baoding in Hebei, Yangling in Shaanxi and Lushun in Dalian. The cities have formed lead groups on climate change headed by the mayors, have created “low-carbon offices” and are taking concrete steps towards reducing their carbon emissions.

Energy saving in public buildings, promotion of smart low-carbon mobility, demonstration of renewable energies, energy management systems for companies and a tree-planting campaign for awareness-raising are some of the targeted actions implemented by these municipalities.

LCCC platform

The LCCC programme also provides a knowledge- and information- sharing platform. It is designed to allow all participating cities to share information and promote low-carbon approaches, best practices and tools.