Urban Sustainability: Problems Facing the ‘Local’ Approach to Carbon-Reduction Strategies

D McEvoy, D C Gibbs and J W S Longhurst
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J W S Longhurst: Department of Environmental Health and Science, University of the West of England, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, England

Environment and Planning C, 1998, vol. 16, issue 4, 423-431

Abstract: Urban policies which include energy and environmental objectives are seen as potentially effective instruments in the quest for urban sustainability. Recent consensus is that the modern city region forms an important focal point for assessment and implementation of energy strategies, facilitating practical solutions to local problems as well as providing beneficial additions to national policies. Reducing the carbon intensity of economies both prevents environmental degradation and supports the regional economy in the medium to long term. The authors look at the construction of a CO 2 inventory for the Greater Manchester region, an urban conurbation set for economic growth after recent restructuring and diversification. The authors argue that, by providing an indication of the localised carbon flows specific to the region, it is possible to target problem areas, prioritise carbon-reduction strategies, and recommend policies that will case the transition to a more sustainable urban settlement. The increased focus on finding ‘local’ solutions to the reduction of carbon intensity has coincided with privatisation of much of the energy industry. The newly competitive energy market conflicts with the shift to local-scale evaluations and has resulted in energy details at the regional level becoming increasingly harder to obtain. The problems experienced in the construction of this inventory will be common to other cities in the United Kingdom and will have to be addressed if the ‘local’ approach is to be as effective as is hoped.

Date: 1998
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:envirc:v:16:y:1998:i:4:p:423-431

DOI: 10.1068/c160423

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