Building our way to a cleaner planet: How cities are leading the way

Energy consumed by buildings accounts for almost half of cities’ carbon emissions on average. Because buildings can last over 100 years, increasing their energy efficiency is critical if we are to meet our current global climate goals. To achieve these goals, cities must transition fossil fuels out of their buildings.

Image Credit: Tristan Capacchione

Featured guests:
Frankie Downy is the Head of Building Strategy and Implementation at C40. Through her work, cities in the C40 networks can deliver the significant emission reductions required to assure a cleaner urban future for the planet.

Mayor Valerie Plante is leading her city of Montréal, Canada to transition away from fossil fuels. Under Mayor Plante’s tenure, Montréal has committed to transitioning away from the use of natural gas heating and cooking by implementing bylaw restrictions on its use in new small buildings starting next October 2024. 

Links
Municipal Building Decarbonisation Network, New Building Decarbonisation Network, Private Building Decarbonisation Network - C40 website
Seattle is electrifying new buildings despite ruling against gas bans - Crosscut
London continues to lead the UK in reducing emissions from new buildings - Mayor of London website
In New York City, we’re taking bold action on climate with building emissions mandates - C40 Knowledge Hub
Retrofit Melbourne 
The Netherlands' Pilot Activity: Dutch 100CNSC Cities Pilot - Net Zero Cities website
C40 Cities South Africa Buildings Programme - C40 website

If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website: https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/

Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and Cities 1.5 is supported by C40 Cities and the C40 Centre for City Climate Policy and Economy. You can sign up to the Centre newsletter here. https://thecentre.substack.com/

Our executive producers are Peggy Whitfield and Chiara Morfeo.

Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/

Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/

Music is by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/