IEA: only a fifth of major cities worldwide have set net zero targets

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🗞️ Driving the news: A recent report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) highlights that only about 20% of major cities globally have established net zero emission targets, despite these areas being pivotal for achieving international energy and climate objectives
• Urban areas, which are significant energy consumers and greenhouse gas emitters, lack comprehensive strategies to address their environmental impact

🔭 The context: Urban regions are responsible for 75% of global energy consumption and 70% of greenhouse gas emissions
• The report underscores the critical role cities play in meeting global climate goals, especially as urban populations are expected to swell, increasing demand on resources and infrastructure

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Cities are central to tackling climate change due to their economic significance and high emissions
• Effective urban planning and policies can significantly reduce carbon footprints, making the adoption of net zero targets by cities essential for sustainable global development

⏭️ What's next: The report calls for cities to elevate their ambitions, particularly in enhancing energy efficiency and expanding renewable energy use
• It suggests that urban areas must improve planning and infrastructure to accommodate growing populations and evolving energy needs

💬 One quote: "Supporting city-level action has the potential to provide the greatest carbon mitigation return on investment and accelerate inclusive clean energy transitions," the report asserts

📈 One stat: Only about 20% of cities with populations over 500,000 have set or proposed net zero targets

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