In the city, from where does the carbon come?

A city in the UK is responsible for over 70% of carbon emissions (British Geological Survey, n.d.), in which the maximum sector responsible for it is either the industrial or motor transportation system. The city is labeled as sustainable when the amount of carbon emission from that city is low.

Carbon emissions in a city refer to the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere by various human activities within the city. These emissions can come from a variety of sources, such as transportation, industrial processes, heating and cooling buildings, and waste disposal.

Transportation is a major contributor to carbon emissions in most cities, with cars, trucks, and buses being the primary sources. Industrial activities, such as manufacturing and energy production, also contribute to emissions, particularly in urban areas where these activities are concentrated. Heating and cooling buildings is another significant source of emissions, as buildings require energy for heating, cooling, and lighting.

To reduce carbon emissions in a city, various measures can be taken, such as promoting public transportation and walking or biking, incentivizing energy-efficient buildings, encouraging the use of renewable energy sources, and implementing waste reduction and recycling programs(Sun et al., 2022). Additionally, policies can be put in place to limit emissions from industrial activities and to promote the use of cleaner technologies.

Reducing carbon emissions in a city requires a multi-faceted approach that involves various stakeholders, including city governments, businesses, and individuals(Hankey and Marshall, 2010). Here are some strategies that can be implemented to reduce carbon emissions in a city:

1. Promote sustainable transportation:

Encouraging the use of public transportation, walking, and cycling can significantly reduce carbon emissions from transportation. This can be achieved by investing in public transit infrastructure. building bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly streets, and providing incentives for sustainable modes of transportation, can be useful.

Fig-1, Approach on Road for smart City

2. Encourage energy-efficient buildings:

Buildings are significant sources of carbon emissions in cities(Wu et al., 2022). Encouraging the use of energy-efficient building materials and technologies, such as insulation, efficient lighting, and renewable energy sources, can help reduce emissions.

Fig-2, Building a Digital Ecosystem – How smart buildings improve energy efficiency

3. Reduce waste and promote recycling:

Waste disposal is another significant source of carbon emissions. Implementing waste reduction and recycling programs can help reduce emissions and conserve resources.

Fig-3, Types of Recyclables and Recycling Processes

4. Promote renewable energy:

Encouraging the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, can help reduce carbon emissions from energy production.

Fig-4, Infographics of Renewable Energy Sources

5. Implement green space initiatives:

Planting trees and creating green spaces in urban areas can help reduce carbon emissions by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere(Hankey and Marshall, 2010).

Cities around the world are increasingly recognizing the importance of reducing carbon emissions and are implementing measures to mitigate their impact on the environment. This is essential to combat climate change and promote sustainable development.

Fig-5, Urban Green Spaces: Combining Goals for Sustainability and Placemaking

References:

1. British Geological Survey. (n.d.). The carbon story. [online] Available at: https://www.bgs.ac.uk/discovering-geology/climate-change/the-carbon-story/.
2. Sun, C., Zhang, Y., Ma, W., Wu, R. and Wang, S. (2022). The Impacts of Urban Form on Carbon Emissions: A Comprehensive Review. Land, 11(9), p.1430.
3. Wu, H., Fang, S., Zhang, C., Hu, S., Nan, D. and Yang, Y. (2022). Exploring the impact of urban form on urban land use efficiency under low-carbon emission constraints: A case study in China’s Yellow River Basin. Journal of Environmental Management, 311, p.114866.
4. Hankey, S. and Marshall, J.D. (2010). Impacts of urban form on future US passenger-vehicle greenhouse gas emissions. Energy Policy, 38(9), pp.4880–4887.

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figure references:

1. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Clean_mobility_instead_of_dirty_traffic.jpg
2. https://www.energyly.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/building_energy_efficiency-01-01.png
3. https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nea.gov.sg%2Four-services%2Fwaste-management%2F3r-programmes-and-resources%2Ftypes-of-recyclables-and-recycling-processes&psig=AOvVaw2G-qUPJMrTjOx9wG6z-44E&ust=1684968771128000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBAQjRxqFwoTCMDq2fnDjP8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAR
4. https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/renewable-energy-isometric-infographics-green-horizontal-editable-text-images-various-factory-buildings-sources-vector-223899343.jpg
5. https://www.europenowjournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Picture2-1.png