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4 - Climate change and urban energy systems
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- By Stephen A. Hammer, Columbia University, New York, James Keirstead, Imperial College, Londong, Shobhakar Dhakal, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Tsukuba, Japan, Jeanene Mitchell, University of Washington, Michelle Colley, Acclimatise, Montreal, Canada, Richenda Connell, Acclimatise, London, UK, Richard Gonzalez, Columbia University, Morgan Herve-Mignucci, CDC Climat, Paris, France, Lily Parshall, Earth Institute at Columbia University, Niels Schulz, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Vienna, Austria, Michael Hyams, Columbia University
- Edited by Cynthia Rosenzweig, William D. Solecki, Hunter College, City University of New York, Stephen A. Hammer, Columbia University, New York, Shagun Mehrotra, Columbia University, New York
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- Book:
- Climate Change and Cities
- Published online:
- 05 August 2012
- Print publication:
- 28 April 2011, pp 85-112
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- Chapter
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Summary
Introduction
The energy systems that provide the “life blood” to cities are as complex and diverse as cities themselves. Reflecting local natural resource and economic conditions, supply chains that may extend globally, historic investments in technology, and cultural and political preferences, urban energy systems serve as either a key accelerator or brake on the vitality and prospects of a city or urban region. Because of this, the local energy system can be of great interest to policymakers in a city, and many have begun to develop plans that seek to change one or more aspects of this system over the coming decades.
Climate change concerns are increasingly a key driver behind these changes, with local authorities seeking to reduce their city's current level of contribution to global climate change. Climate is not the only reason local authorities engage on energy issues, however. In some cases, cities are seeking to ameliorate pollution attributable to local energy use, while in other cities, economic development is a key concern. The latter is particularly prominent in developing countries, where a lack of access to adequate, reliable energy services continues to impede the economic growth of many cities (UNDP/WHO, 2009). In these situations, climate-related concerns are often secondary to efforts to improve access to modern energy services to reduce poverty, allow for new types of economic activity, and improve public health.