World's biggest cities are tapping into the green economy benefits

Cities around the world have identified the economic benefits from tackling the effects of climate change, according to a new report released today by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).

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The CDP study found 82% of cities are tapping into the potential for growth as a result of climate change adaptation and more than half of cities are looking to create green jobs and new business initiatives.

However, despite the substantial prospects for green growth, just under a third of the cities that participated in the global survey expect new sources of funding for tackling climate change.

The report, published today, presents a global snapshot of the activities, challenges and opportunities facing cities as a result of climate change.

It is based on the carbon and water strategies and actions disclosed to CDP by 73 cities spanning every inhabited continent. The report also contains a special focus on the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40), a network of the world's largest cities working to reduce urban carbon emissions and accelerate climate change adaptation.

Measurement for Management: CDP Cities 2012 Global Report shows that reporting cities cite a wide variety of financial drivers for climate change action, with nearly a third of cities expecting improved energy efficiency of their operations and a fifth recognising the increased energy security that action on climate change affords.

However, job creation and industry growth are by far the most prominently cited opportunities with 55% of cities anticipating the creation of green jobs and 53% predicting new business from clean tech industries or the development of new low-carbon economy technologies.

Article continues at ENN affiliate, Click Green

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