C40 Releases Groundbreaking Research on the Importance and Impact of Cities on Climate Change

SAO PAULO, June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Greenhouse gas emissions and analysis of climate change actions across over 40 megacities is reported for the first time

The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) released (http://live.c40cities.org/storage/C40%20Releases%20Groundbreaking%20Research %20on%20the%20Importance%20and%20Impact%20of%20Cities%20on%20Climate%20 Change.pdf) two landmark reports today that emphasize the critical role of measurement and transparency in tackling climate change in megacities. The reports, released during the C40 Cities Mayors Summit in Sao Paulo (May 31 - June 2), demonstrate the current and potential impact of cities confronting climate change and opportunities to build a low carbon future - helping Cities to focus future activity on areas that will accelerate mitigation and adaptation.

"I firmly believe that if you can't measure it, you can't manage it," said C40 Chair, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. "That is true in business and it is true in government. Only by regularly and rigorously measuring and analyzing our efforts can we learn what works, what doesn't and why, and take effective action."

Cities are responsible for consuming two-thirds of the world's energy. The 58 C40 Cities globally represent 1 in 12 people, 12% of C02 emissions and 21% of GDP. To enable these cities to better measure both current successes and assess future opportunities for action to address climate change, the C40 developed two studies in partnership with two leading organizations in the field, the Carbon Disclosure Project (http://www.cdproject.net) (CDP) and Arup (http://www.arup.com).

The two reports, CDP Cities 2011: Global Report on C40 Cities (http://c40citieslive.squarespace.com/storage/resources/CDP_Cities2011_FINAL_Lowress.pdf) and Climate Action in Megacities: C40 Cities Baseline and Opportunities (http://live.c40cities.org/storage/ARUP%20REPORT%20-%20Climate%20Action%20inb%20Megacities.pdf), demonstrate the impact cities can have in confronting global climate change. Providing a measurement baseline and a management tool, the studies will enable C40 Cities to set targets, evaluate actions and access resources. The studies will also inform the strategic direction of C40 programs and initiatives, helping the organization to connect cities with similar profiles and agendas.

For more information about the reports and the Summit, please visit C40 Cities Live (http://live.c40cities.org), the official blog of the C40 Cities Mayors Summit.

About C40 Cities

The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) is an organization of large and engaged Cities from around the world committed to implementing meaningful and sustainable climate-related actions locally that will help address climate change globally. The fourth biennial C40 Cities Mayors Summit in Sao Paulo, Brazil (May 31 - June 2, 2011) brings together over 70 of the world's largest cities for three days to advance urban solutions to the climate crisis. To learn more about the work of C40 cities, please visit http://www.c40cities.org.