WWF Annual Report

Cities Step Up on Climate Change
CITIES STEP UP ON
CLIMATE CHANGE
July 2013
Chicago, Illinois
For the first time, half the world’s population lives in
cities—urban centers that are generating over 70% of
the world’s CO2 emissions. To minimize their impact,
many forward-thinking cities are now switching to
renewable energy. Among them: Chicago, Cleveland
and Cincinnati. In the past few years, all three cities
have made pacesetting changes to the way they secure
electricity for their citizens. Cleveland and Cincinnati
now offer 100% renewable electricity packages for
many residents and small businesses via procurement
of renewable energy credits. Chicago has negotiated
an energy portfolio that excludes coal-generated
electricity and doubles the city’s use of wind power. All
three cities achieved their milestones by aggregating
the purchasing power of residents, resulting in money
savings as well as greener energy sources. All three
have undertaken efforts to improve the efficiency of
city buildings as well. These successes demonstrate
that renewable energy is affordable, reliable and here
now. Today’s urban environments hold one of the keys
to the transition to renewable energy that is necessary
for a future in which life on Earth can flourish.
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