Economic Case for Low Carbon Cities

Dr. Andy Gouldson will be in Calgary as a speaker at the QUEST2016 conference on smart energy communities, and has agreed to give a seminar on campus on the economic case for climate smart cities. What is the economic case for low carbon development in cities? What are the investment needs and the associated paybacks? What are the most cost and carbon effective options for different sectors and the best ways of reaching low carbon targets? How can low carbon development be financed? These are the questions that have been examined in multiple cities around the world through the Climate Smart Cities programme at the University of Leeds. Globally, the research shows that low carbon urban development should be seen not as a cost but as an investment that will unlock substantial savings streams and significant co-benefits. Locally, multiple studies show how cities can stimulate their economies through smart policies and well-targeted investments in low carbon development across the housing, commercial buildings, transport, industry and waste sectors. The studies develop fully costed menus of low carbon options that can be chosen, and evaluations of the scope for their adoption and the potential for carbon reduction. They also highlight the extent to which low carbon investment can be stimulated through different forms of policy and planning, and the ways in innovative business models can be put in place to help to raise finance and enable delivery. In combination, the studies show how the presentation of a compelling economic case can help cities to see low carbon development as an economic opportunity rather than a threat and then to mainstream low carbon development into the heart of their economic development plans. Please feel free to extend this invitation to other members of the UCalgary community, including students and trainees. Contact Barry Phipps or Kiyoshi Robson for more information.
Location:
Energy Environment Experiential Learning (EEEL) 349
Speaker:
Dr. Andy Gouldson,Professor of Environmental Policy at the University of Leeds, UK joined the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds in 2006, where he was director of the Sustainability Research Institute from 2006 to 2009 and a director of CCCEP from 2008 to 2014. Andy is currently professor of environmental policy and associate pro-vice-chancellor at the University of Leeds with responsibility for inter-disciplinary research. He has also held academic positions at the Universities of Hull and Bristol and the LSE. He has a first degree in economics, a masters degree in environmental policy and a PhD in environmental regulation.
More information at http://www.ucalgary.ca/events/calendar/economic-case-low-carbon-cities