Cities:

Cities play a leading role in addressing climate and nature action. More than half of humanity now lives in urban areas, and cities are responsible for 75% of global resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

In Canada, more than 80% of the population lives in cities. Local governments shape the consumption characteristics of people who live in urban areas, In addition to transforming the built environment, land use, transport systems and infrastructure. 

The true scope of climate and nature impacts lies both within and outside a city’s physical boundaries, impacting the exchange of resources between cities and the rural hinterlands and living ecosystems that support them.

There is a growing interest in addressing consumption-based emissions and the negative ecological and social impacts of consumption of goods and services. One study cautions that to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius, urban consumption-based emissions must be at least halved by 2030 (and reduced by two-thirds in high-income areas).

Local government action requires tracking and measuring a city’s ecological and carbon footprints as well as its impact on natural ecosystems. Dr. Jennie Moore and Cora Hallsworth from the BCIT Centre for EcoCities are working on a pilot project with 10 municipalities across British Columbia mapping consumption and ecological footprints to help close gaps towards sustainability. The ecoCityFootprint Tool has been successfully piloted in BC and around the world. 

Local governments have many levers for change and have more of a direct connection to people and their daily lives than other levels of government. Local policies and regulations shape the housing, transport, food, goods and services that people consume.

Local governments can lead by example by demonstrating Fair Earth Living actions through their staff and services, and can inspire and normalize these practices by supporting the efforts of other urban stakeholders and cultural campaigns and dialogue.

POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS

• Fund consumption-based carbon emissions analysis within cities.
• Integrate Fair Earth Living concepts into the LC3 frameworks.
• Support local government initiatives including through policy tools and infrastructure (e.g., influence transportation and housing choices, utility services, natural, open and public spaces), through leading by example (e.g., purchasing, workplace practices, events) and influencing citizens.