What is the most effective and efficient way to decarbonise a city? There are thousands of low carbon options available and, although they present a significant opportunity to reduce energy bills and carbon footprints, there is often a lack of reliable information on their performance. The higher levels of risk and uncertainty that emerge as a result of this lack of this deficit can act as major barriers to action, making it hard to develop a political, business or social case for investment in low carbon options.
In an attempt to address this problem, the Centre for Low Carbon Futures has released a report exploring retrofitting options for the Leeds City Region. The report – ‘The Economics of Low Carbon Cities: Methods, Outcomes and Implications of a City-Scale Mini-Stern Review’ – evaluates the cost and carbon effectiveness of a wide range of existing low carbon options that could be applied in households, industry, commerce and transport, the research explores the scope for the deployment of these options at the city-scale, along with an analysis of the associated investment needs, financial returns, carbon savings and implications for the economy and employment.
The report, along with more information on sustainable infrastructure, energy systems and developing sustainability for competitive advantage, can be found at http://www.lowcarbonfutures.org/