There are currently no ‘carbon neutral’ cities in the UK, but many have recently pledged to become so. The release of the IPCC 1.5°C in October 2018 lead to decisions by some UK cities to up their decarbonisation plans. Bristol declared they will be carbon neutral by 2030. Nottingham has gone further, aiming to be the first ‘net-zero’ UK city by 2028. Manchester made a pledge of 2038.
London is aiming to be carbon neutral by 2050, but has specific interim targets as part of the C40 cities group. C40 aims for their cities to develop and begin implementing a climate action plan before the end of 2020, and for a 60% reduction of emissions by 2025.
The C40 group suggest that an emissions neutral city means net zero greenhouse gas emissions from:
– Fuel use in buildings, transport and industry
– The use of grid-supplied energy
– The treatment of waste generated within the city boundary
And minimised emissions occurring outside the city boundary.
Cities not part of this group are able to set their own targets, and therefore their definition of carbon neutral. The term is contentious and often does not have a shared meaning city to city. Stating to become ‘carbon neutral’ can act as a way to conceal the true policies and decarbonisation plans, due to the term’s uncertainty.
The Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance (CNCA) suggest that a carbon neutral future should be with 80-100% less GHG emissions. However, a recent study found the term to be more flexible in the carbon reduction planning documents of the different CNCA cities. The individual city’s ideas of ‘carbon neutrality’ varied, which could create different policy outcomes for different urban areas committing to the same target.
The term carbon neutrality must have a worldwide shared definition if we are to successfully limit warming of the planet to at least 1.5°C by 2030. It must be clear that zero-carbon city futures are those with large scale decarbonisation and renewable energy implementation in buildings, infrastructure and transport networks. There must be a limit to carbon offsetting schemes, and considerations of larger scale energy networks. Citizens must be made aware of their contribution to achieving a zero-carbon goal.
It will be extremely hard to ever become truly carbon neutral, and especially within the timeframes decided by UK cities. It is convenient for cities making these extraordinary pledges to ‘forget’ about components of their societies. Will Bristol and Manchester remember their airports when considering full decarbonisation of transport networks? Granted, any effort to reduce emissions is positive, but it’s vital that claims about a ‘carbon neutral’ future clearly state what they are referring to.
Climate change science and policy 