Over 100 cities get majority of electricity from renewables

More than 100 cities across the world are now getting at least 70% of their electricity from renewable sources such as hydro, geothermal, solar and wind.

That is according to new data from CDP, which highlights how Burlington (US), Reykjavik (Iceland), and Basel (Switzerland), are already powered by 100% renewable electricity.

This comes after research from the World Economic Forum found that unsubsidised renewables were the cheapest source of electricity in 30 countries last year.

“Cities are responsible for 70% of energy-related CO2 emissions and there is immense potential for them to lead on building a sustainable economy,” CDP director of cities, Kyra Appleby, said.

“Reassuringly, our data shows much commitment and ambition. Cities not only want to shift to renewable energy but, most importantly - they can.”

The list of cities was published ahead of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in Canada on 5 March, where politicians and scientists will meet to discuss the role of cities in delivering the Paris Agreement.

It was not just small towns found to be generating at least 70% of their power from renewables, but also large cities such as Auckland (New Zealand), Nairobi (Kenya), Oslo (Norway), Seattle (US) and Vancouver (Canada).

The research comes on the same day that the UK100 network of local government leaders announced that over 80 UK towns and cities have committed to generating all their electricity from renewables by 2050.

These include Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow and 16 London boroughs.

However, there is also growing momentum outside the UK, with 58 US cities and towns having now committed to 100% renewable energy, as well as 23 others around the world.

CDP said that much of the drive behind this comes for over 7,000 mayors that have signed up to The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, pledging to act on climate change.

“We urge all cities to disclose to us, work together to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and prioritise the development of ambitious renewable energy procurement strategies,” Appleby said. “The time to act is now.”

Image credit: iStock