Agreement looks to decrease pollution in cities by 2030

06/20/2012 - 10h42

The C-4 network that includes 59 major cities in the world, announced the plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent by the year 2030. The agreement speaks only of a "potential reduction."

The level will be revised if current or future sustainability measures can be implemented.

The cities of the C-4 were responsible for 1.7 billion metric tons of polluting gases in 2010. In 2020, the projected level of emissions increases to 2.3 billion metric tons. The planned measures will reduce this projection by 248 million tons.

According to the announcement from the group yesterday, 32 cities in the group have defined their own goals for reducing emissions.

In addition to the international goal, São Paulo and Rio face significant challenges in the next few years if they want to comply with their own laws to address climate change.

São Paulo has a law that plans to reduce emissions by 30 percent by the end of the year relative to 2005 levels. According to the city government, so far the reduction has been by 12 percent.

In the case of Rio, the plan to cut 8 percent by the year 2012 was revised. To cut another 8 percent by the year 2016 will require more effort.

Translated by ANNA EDGERTON