Find out the ways cities are creating a low carbon economy in our case study library
A low carbon economy can offer financial as well as environmental returns to cities. Despite lacking a clear mandate and operating in difficult financial and policy contexts, UK cities are taking action to support economic growth whilst reducing their carbon emissions.
Cities can support the move towards a low carbon economy in many different ways: by pursuing jobs growth in low carbon sectors, by working with businesses to reduce energy demand and consumption, providing finance, promoting regulations, and providing incentives.
Case study | Policy aim | Location | Country | Lead organisation(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. Building business support networks and promoting information sharing | Support growth in low carbon businesses | South West of England and London | UK | Regen Southwest, Low Carbon Southwest |
2. Reducing the costs of energy | Support growth in low carbon businesses | Belfast | UK | Belfast City Council |
3. Championing green legislations targeting energy efficiency in buildings | Support the growth of a low carbon economy | New York City | New York, US | New York City Authority |
4. Using comprehensive and long-term laws | Support the growth of a low carbon economy | San Francisco | California, US | City and County of San Francisco |
5. Improving co-ordination on low carbon infrastructure using City Deals | Support the growth of a low carbon economy | Liverpool | UK | Liverpool City Region |
6. Incentivising recycling with a Pay As You Throw scheme | Encourage low carbon decisions and behaviours | Cities in the UK and abroad | International | Multiple organisations |
7. Challenging businesses to lead the way | Encourage low carbon decisions and behaviours | New York city | New York, US | New York City Council |
8. Promoting behaviours change campaigns | Encourage low carbon decisions and behaviours | Cities across the UK | UK | The Carbon Trust |
9. Incentivising the use of new technologies | Encourage low carbon decisions and behaviours | London | UK | Greater London Authority |
10. Simplifying procurement and cutting the costs of public bodies | Deliver green jobs and help develop a low carbon economy | Birmingham | UK | Buy for Good |
11. Using the city as a test-bed | Deliver green jobs and help develop a low carbon economy | Hamburg | Germany | City of Hamburg |
12 . Stimulating consumer demand through GPP | Deliver green jobs and help develop a low carbon economy | Leeds | UK | Leeds City Council |
13 . Investing in energy efficiency, energy provision and building retrofit | Maximise leverage of commercial funds into low carbon projects | Cities across the UK | UK | Energy Co-Operatives |
14. Using co-investment models | Maximise leverage of commercial funds into low carbon projects | London | UK | The London Energy Efficiency Fund |