Climate Now’s “Net Zero City” events are designed to make the connections and spread the knowledge needed to decarbonize our cities nationwide.
WHAT IS A NET-ZERO CITY?
More than 100 cities in the United States and 500 cities worldwide have pledged low-carbon and net-zero goals. “Net-zero” refers to achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced, and the amount of emissions removed from the atmosphere – beginning with dramatic reductions in emissions, also known as decarbonization. For cities, that means reducing emissions from buildings, transportation, electric power, waste, and other essential systems.
CITY DECARBONIZATION IS A LOCAL EFFORT
Did you know that more than half of the world’s population lives in cities? Local actions in cities can therefore drive outsized change when it comes to reducing emissions globally. To lower a city’s carbon footprint, education and connection amongst key stakeholders is required — Think: city residents, community leaders, local government officials, investors, local businesses and workforce, academic practitioners, journalists, and more.
WHAT CLIMATE NOW CAN DO IN YOUR CITY
We will bring together local anchor partners with an interest in your city’s net-zero transition. Through an innovative, community-engaging educational event, subject matter experts, your city’s residents, leaders, and impact-makers will discuss equitable city decarbonization goals and connect with the contractors, developers and educators that are implementing solutions on the ground.
INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THESE SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR CITY?
Host a Climate Now Net-Zero Cities event in your city! It’s a simple process. Click here to get in touch with us.
Event Spotlight, Net-Zero Cities: Ithaca
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN ITHACA?
The City of Ithaca is the first in the United States working to decarbonize 100% of its buildings by 2030. Roughly 6,000 homes and buildings will evaluated and reconstructed as needed so that they no longer rely on fossil fuel-based systems for heating, cooling, and electric appliances, which are all big drivers of energy use.
THREE SUCCESSFUL EVENTS ROOTED IN COLLABORATION
Climate Now convened key pillars of Ithaca’s robust community on an engaging journey about the city’s climate change and economic equality goals. With over 800 in-person and virtual registrants, Ithaca made its mark to advance climate education and collective impact.
- How Do We Achieve Sustainable Prosperity?, discussed what skills are needed to retrofit all of Ithaca’s buildings and critical elements of climate justice
- How Do We Make The Electric City of the Future?, discussed the technologies needed to electrify an entire city’s built environment without leaving low-income populations behind during the transition
- How Do We Finance The Net-Zero City?, discussed what kinds of funding sources exist to support a city’s clean energy transition and financing a path to net-zero
FEATURED EXPERTS AND LEADERS
Sponsors: Yale Center for Business and the Environment, Connecticut Green Bank and BlocPower
Speakers and Panelists:
- James Lawler, Climate Now
- Reif Larsen, Future of Small Cities Institute
- Dr. Luis Aguirre-Torres, City of Ithaca
- Rebecca Evans, City of Ithaca
- Dr. Neha Khanna, Binghampton University and Cornell University
- Dr. Aigbokhan Aloja Airewele, Green Energy Workforce Training Center
- Sue Dougherty, NYSERDA
- Cullen Kasunic, BlocPower
- Joanne Coons, Hudson Valley Community College
- Joe Evans, Kresge Foundation
- Dr. Rob Klee, Yale University
- Bryan Garcia, Connecticut Green Bank