It is clear, then, that cities must be part of the
solution if an urbanising world is to grapple successfully
with ecological challenges such as climate
change. In concentrated urban areas, it is
possible for environmental economies of scale
to reduce the impact of human beings on the
earth. This has already started to happen in
Europe. According to the UN Population Division,
72% of the continent’s population is urban
but the European Environment Agency (EEA)
says that its cities and towns account for just
69% of energy use. This is achieved in a range of
ways, from increased use of public transport due
to greater population density to smaller city
dwellings that require less heating and lighting.
Many European cities have demonstrated their
commitment to reducing their environmental
impact by joining the Covenant of Mayors, a
European Commission initiative launched in
January 2008 that asks mayors to commit to cutting
carbon emissions by at least 20% by 2020.
This is encouraging the creation — often for the
very first time — of a formal plan for how cities
can go about reducing their carbon impact,
which bodes well for the future.