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More than 100 cities get most of their electricity from renewable sources
According to data published last month by environmental impact research organisation CDP, the number of cities getting at least 70% of their electricity from renewable sources has more than doubled since 2015.
In a study of more than 570 cities worldwide, it was found that 101 cities hit this 70% target, compared to just 42 back in 2015. Better yet, more than 40 of these cities are currently running on 100% renewable energy. These cities include the Iceland capital Reykjavik, which sources all of its electricity from hydropower and geothermal energy, and Burlington in Vermont, which runs on a mixture of hydro, solar, wind and biomass.
CDP’s director of cities Kyra Appleby is optimistic that these figures will continue to improve. “Reassuringly, our data shows much commitment and ambition,” Appleby said in a statement. “Cities not only want to shift to renewable energy but, most importantly – they can.”
Here in the UK, more than 80 towns and cities have now committed to the UK100 network’s target to run on 100% clean energy by 2050. Meanwhile, 58 towns and cities in the US have also made the pledge to fully convert to clean energy.
To prepare for the future, Appleby has urged cities worldwide to work together to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement: “The time to act is now."
