SUSTAINABILITY
RENEWABLE CITIES ARE here . Around the world , the prospect of the largest urban centres being entirely powered by renewable energy is fast becoming a reality . Driven by the lower costs of renewables , the safer prospects that such power sources offer and a tangible shift in people power and societal thinking , there are now more than 100 cities worldwide powered primarily by renewable energy .
For places such as Seattle , Vancouver , Oslo , Auckland and Nairobi , that means receiving at least 70 % of their overall energy from renewable sources . In a world where fossil fuels still , to a large extent , dominate the global energy mix , that ’ s an incredible figure in itself . Some cities , however – Reykjavik in Iceland , Basel in Switzerland and Burlington in the US – currently run on 100 % renewable energy .
It ’ s a trend that ’ s showing every sign of gathering pace , too . In 2015 , for example , the number of cities reaching that 70 % mark was 42 . Today , it ’ s 570 .
“ Cities are leading the global shift to 100 % renewable energy ,” says Jodie Van Horn , Director of Ready for 100 . Part of the United States ’ largest and most influential environmental agency , Sierra Club , Ready for 100 is a national campaign that ’ s working to move away from fossil fuels towards a more equitable and just economy powered by 100 % clean , renewable energy .
“ Renewable energy is cheaper , safer and cleaner than fossil fuels , and people across the globe are demanding a shift to 100 % clean , renewable energy ,” she explains . “ City leaders know that moving to 100 % renewable energy will protect us from pollution , create jobs and new economic opportunities and ensure that all people have the access to affordable energy .”
Drivers for change The renewable city , then , is the product of a number of factors that have combined to create the future of urban power generation . Naturally , cost plays a significant factor . Van Horn explains that the price of solar , for example , has dropped by as much as 80 % since 2008 with the cost of wind power 41 % lower in that same timeframe . “ In January in the States , new record low prices were announced for both wind and solar ,” she adds .
40 April 2018