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Urban sustainability: Problems facing the 'local' approach to carbon-reduction strategies

Gibbs, D. C.; McEvoy, D.; Longhurst, J. W. S.

Authors

D. C. Gibbs

D. McEvoy



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 CO2 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 ease 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 as 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.

Citation

Gibbs, D. C., McEvoy, D., & Longhurst, J. W. S. (1998). Urban sustainability: Problems facing the 'local' approach to carbon-reduction strategies. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 16(4), 423-431. https://doi.org/10.1068/c160423

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jan 1, 1998
Journal Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space
Print ISSN 0263-774X
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 16
Issue 4
Pages 423-431
DOI https://doi.org/10.1068/c160423
Keywords urban, sustainability, local, problems, local, carbon-redcution, strategy
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1101157
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1068/c160423