“It is clear that hydrogen will constitute an essential link in our energy future”
Oct 21, 2024
Innovative
Cities around the world have a major influence on climate change, and they also suffer the most from its effects. That is why it is crucial for them to become a key element when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Although only 3% of the world’s total land area is occupied by cities, more than half of the global population lives in them. According to the World Bank, this figure is expected to rise to almost 70% by 2050. Furthermore, it is estimated that urban areas are responsible for around 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, as stated in Empowering Urban Energy Transitions: Smart Cities and Smart Grids, a report by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Urban areas are responsible for around 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions
It is therefore necessary to design and develop cities that minimise their environmental impact and promote the improvement of the quality of life of their residents. Sustainable urban planning must be based on the integration of aspects such as energy efficiency and the use of renewable energies (such as green hydrogen), sustainable mobility, the conservation of green spaces and the proper management of water resources.
A study by the World Bank entitled “Thriving: Making Cities Green, Resilient and Inclusive in a Changing Climate” analyses, based on data from more than 10,000 cities, the key role they play in halting climate change and protecting people from its most damaging effects.
It also delves into how cities contribute to climate change, especially through greenhouse gas emissions, and how they will be affected by the increased frequency and recurrence of events such as floods, droughts and cyclones.
The report shows that although cities in the lowest income countries account for only around 14% of all urban CO2 emissions worldwide, they will suffer the most serious dangers from climate change.
Cities in the lowest income countries will suffer the most serious dangers from climate change
Moreover, the World Bank warns that lack of innovation and investment to promote greener cities could result in global GHG emissions persisting above the level needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C, even if higher-income countries succeed in achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
C40 is a group of 96 major cities around the world that have joined forces to reduce global warming emissions into the atmosphere and adapt to climate change. More than 15 of them are in Europe, such as Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, Paris and Rome.
The alliance proposes a joint effort among mayors, private sector professionals and civil society to share knowledge and promote important and measurable actions to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Its main areas of focus are as follows:
It is expected that by 2050 there will be 2.5 billion more people living in urban areas than there are today. In fact, in sub-Saharan Africa alone, the urban population is expected to grow by 950 million to 1.26 billion residents.
It is expected that by 2050 there will be 2.5 billion more people living in urban areas than there are today
This will lead to increased stress, for example on water resources, and will make the protection and restoration of ecosystems, such as forests, even more important.
The World Bank report also addresses the need for cities to adopt integrated strategies for green urban planning and to include investments in green spaces and sustainable infrastructure.
The use of renewable hydrogen stands as a clean alternative to reduce emissions from heavy transport, such as buses and trucks. Unlike electric batteries, green hydrogen offers a longer range and faster recharging times.
The European Green Deal calls for a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions from transport by 2050. This is a step towards making Europe a climate-neutral economy and also towards the goal of zero pollution.
The European Green Deal calls for a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions from transport by 2050
Renewable molecules, and hydrogen in particular, will be essential. This is underlined by REPowerEU, which envisages that 25% of renewable hydrogen consumption in Europe will be for transport by 2030.
Also, the RED III Directive, which promotes the use of renewable energy, establishes that by 2030, 1% of automotive fuels will have to be of non-biological renewable origin, mainly hydrogen and derivatives.
Likewise, energy-intensive urban industries, such as the chemical and metallurgical industries, are starting to turn to hydrogen as an alternative power source in order to reduce their carbon footprint.