Our cities are now home to more than 54% of the global population – but while they cover
just 3% of the world’s total land area they account for more than 70% of global greenhouse
gas emissions.
Now, in an effort to curb the impacts of climate change, a number of cities are working to
operate in a cleaner and more sustainable way.
Since 2008, Chicago has been implementing a series of strategies in its Climate Action
Plan – an initiative that seeks to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80%
below 1990 levels – and in 2019 committed to running the city on 100% renewable energy by 2040.
As the largest city in the United States to commit to such an ambitious goal, Chicago
is now set to become a model for other large cities across the country and around the world to follow.
Despite intentions to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on climate
change, numerous states, cities and major corporations have taken it upon themselves
to reduce their carbon emissions.
While Copenhagen has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2025, many have been quick
to point out that other major urban areas are at a disadvantage when looking to set
similar goals, as many of the methods being used to reduce Copenhagen’s carbon footprint
cannot be easily implemented elsewhere.
Chicago's plan focuses efforts on a number of key areas where CO2 emissions are produced
and includes steps to combat the already unavoidable consequences of climate change – such as
heatwaves and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
Recognising that buildings contribute to almost 70% of the city’s overall carbon footprint,
Chicago have made tackling inefficiency in how these structures are operated a top priority.
In the residential typology alone, while a third of households across the United States
are living in buildings that are over 50 years old – in Chicago, the proportion is two
thirds. Many of these structures were built prior to the advent of modern energy efficient systems.
In response, the city has been undertaking an ambitious programme to improve energy efficiency
in 50% of its commercial, residential and industrial buildings by 2020.
Measures being undertaken include retrofitting to enhance insulation, upgrade heating and
cooling systems and to install energy-efficient lighting and high-efficiency windows – all
of which help to lower a buildings energy consumption, in turn resulting in lower operating
costs for owners.
To enable these measures, The City of Chicago has assisted with financing for businesses
and homeowners while leading by example on the near 900 public buildings that they own
– working to retrofit 100% of these structures by 2025.
While cutting the amount of energy consumed in the city will significantly reduce Chicago’s
carbon footprint, stopping emissions at their source will have a greater impact on climate change.
Despite the city already committing to running all municipal buildings on renewable energy
by 2025, in 2019 city officials voted unanimously to expand that commitment to cover all buildings
within the city by 2040.
Photovoltaic (PV) panels have been installed on schools and other significant structures,
while businesses and homeowners have been incentivised to install smaller-scale systems
on their own buildings to generate a portion of their energy needs.
Though the city still draws around 80% of its power from coal and nuclear sources, an
offshore wind farm on Lake Michigan is now being explored, with the potential to considerably
reduce the Chicago’s reliance on fossil fuels.
21% of Chicago's greenhouse gas emissions come from the cars, buses and trains operating
in the city making transportation another important area of focus in the Climate Action Plan.
Home to the second largest transit system in the United States, the city is building
upon the network that is already in place to further reduce its carbon footprint.
Currently providing 1.6 million rides daily, the city is working to boost public transportation
ridership a further 30% by offering pre-tax transit passes – which can save users up
to USD $400 a month as compared to car use – and by working with the Regional Transit
Authority and rail and bus operators to increase efficiency on multimode journeys.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has also committed to converting its fleet of over
1,800 buses to electric models by 2040 while working with the City of Chicago to develop
communities around transport hubs that reduce the need for personal vehicles and encourage
walking, cycling and car sharing options for residents.
Despite ongoing efforts to reduce the city’s carbon footprint, Chicago’s officials recognise
that the effects of climate change are already being felt.
In response, part of their Climate Action Plan focuses on ways to minimise these impacts on citizens.
Materials commonly used in cities like glass, steel and concrete all absorb heat throughout
the day and then release it again at night – contributing to a phenomenon known as
the urban heat island effect.
Introducing green spaces can help to mitigate this. They also provide a degree of defence
against sudden storms, absorbing much of the water rather than allowing it to flow into
stormwater systems that can quickly become overwhelmed.
While Chicago is now planting more than one million trees across the city - with a particular
focus on species that can survive in changing climates – it is also actively encouraging
the development of green roofs through its Green Roof Initiative.
City officials have also revised building standards to ensure that the next generation
of buildings not only run more efficiently but are designed to passively reduce solar
gains and capture rainwater for use within building systems.
Though it is still some years away from achieving its ultimate goals, Chicago’s ambitious
intentions have helped to firmly establish it as a leading city in the fight against
climate change – an inspiring model for others to follow.
If you enjoyed this video and would like to get more from the definitive video channel
for construction, subscribe to The B1M.