Читать книгу The Climate City - Группа авторов - Страница 18

Cities run on a unique momentum. They combine a vision of the future with constant innovation. It is no mystery as to why our cities come to symbolize the best we can offer as nations. Ambition is what defines a city, the ability to look forward and the constant pushing of the boundaries of what is possible. It is clear that we need ambition, but ambition alone is problematic. All too often we are bound to empty leadership, PR stunts, and meaningless words that lead to unsubstantial policy. Short-term goals are ineffective and long-term outcomes are lost. Simply citing “a net-zero city” as a strategic goal is not enough.

So … how do we retain ambition but keep clarity?

Throughout this chapter, Peter Boyd will discuss this challenge and outline his plan for ambitious but accountable cities. He argues that the “clarity” we seek for the ambitious city is achieved through “connected” leadership both to the environment and the city it serves. Peter writes, “As faith in national governments and global institutions falters, it is in the city level of democracy and leadership that we can locate a stable point of leadership to embrace this level of responsibility.”

This need for connected leadership is not to be underestimated, especially as we move towards our ambitious (but possible) “Net-Zero” targets. Peter looks at what earns a city its “Net-Zero” status and considers how four powerful descriptors – Fully Scoped, Science-Based, Paris-Agreement-Compliant, Cumulative – bring clarity to the concept itself. Peter then goes beyond this, quite literally, in what he refers to as “Net Zero and Beyond”, as he outlines further steps we can take beyond the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions so that cities become “climate positive” rather than solely aiming for “Net-Zero” status.

All leaders act and all leaders are defined by their actions. But in the case of the ambitious city, action alone is not enough in regards to any future leader. They must go “beyond” this. Meaningful, clear, clean action is the only option in the ambitious city.