TECHNOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN URBAN TRANSPORT

DISCUSSION : ENVIRONMENT & TRANSPORT

Abstract

The world is experiencing unprecedented levels of urbanization as the majority of people now reside in urban areas. By 2030, three-quarters of the world’s population will be urban, and the biggest cities will be found in the developing world. As climate change threatens to change the face of the planet, mega-cities loom as giant potential flood or other disaster traps, especially for billions of the world’s urban poor – who are often in slums – and who are always the most exposed and the most vulnerable. However, it is no coincidence that global climate change has become a leading international development issue precisely at the same time and virtually at the same rate as the world has become urbanized. This is because how we plan, manage, operate and consume energy and transport in our cities is, in fact, the key driver behind the phenomenon of global warming. 75% of global energy consumption and 80% of GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions that cause global warming come from cities. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize that cities and urban residents are not just seen as victims of climate change in terms of sea-level rise but part of the problem of climate change. And if cities are part of the problem, that means they are also inevitably part of the solution.

Urban Transport and Urban Energy Challenges