Regan Brown
Fossil fuels have powered economies for over 150 years, but they have also contributed to the dramatic changes in the Earth's climate. In 2020, cities accounted for 55% of the global population and were responsible for about 75% of carbon dioxide emissions. However, many cities are now shifting away from fossil fuels and transitioning to renewable energy sources. As of 2024, 21 cities worldwide claim to use no fossil fuels to produce electricity, while others are implementing policies to reduce their reliance on them. This move towards renewable energy is hindered by national policies that subsidize fossil fuels and the complex global nature of the issue. Despite these challenges, cities are taking a stand against fossil fuels through initiatives like the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, which aims to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels and promote a just transition to sustainable energy sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cities that use no fossil fuels | Reykjavik, Zurich, Winnipeg, Addis Ababa, Padova, 16 smaller cities in Brazil |
| Cities that use less than 10% fossil fuels | Paris, Oslo, Stockholm, Seattle, four cities in Brazil, four in Canada |
| Cities that use more than 90% fossil fuels | Sydney, Pretoria, Moscow, Mexico City, Caracas |
| Cities with partial or complete fossil fuel bans | More than 60, including 35 in California |
| Cities with 100% renewable energy commitments | Vancouver, Aspen, Burlington, Greensburg |
| Fossil fuel energy communities in the US | 28.5 million people |
| Fossil fuel energy communities in Texas | 13.7 million people |
| Fossil fuel energy communities in California and Texas | 53% of the population in fossil fuel energy communities |
| Global fossil fuel energy usage | 80% of the world's energy |
| US fossil fuel energy usage in 2020 | 19% of US energy consumption |
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What You'll Learn
Cities that have already quit using fossil fuels
Several cities have already quit using fossil fuels, with many more setting ambitious renewable energy targets. According to a 2021 report by CDP, a UK-based nonprofit, 96 cities, a third of those participating in the CDP, are taking action to decarbonize their electricity supply.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik is one of the cities that has already met the 100% renewable energy goal. Iceland, as a country, produces 65% of its energy from geothermal sources and 20% from hydropower.
Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich is another city that has quit using fossil fuels to produce power. Switzerland, as a country, benefits from abundant hydroelectric resources.
Aspen, Colorado
Aspen, Colorado, is a mountain town in the Rocky Mountain landscape. It is one of three cities in the United States, along with Burlington, Vermont, and Greensburg, Kansas, to run entirely on renewable energy. Aspen's energy portfolio relies on hydropower, wind energy, and solar energy.
Curitiba, Brazil
Curitiba is one of at least 15 fossil fuel-free cities in Brazil. These cities rely almost entirely on hydropower.
Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm is aiming to be fossil fuel-free by 2040. The city is already witnessing decreasing energy consumption and emissions.
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Cities that are closest to quitting fossil fuels
Fossil fuels are causing lasting harm to the climate of our planet. While it is challenging to move to an all-renewable energy system, cities are taking the lead in the transition to cleaner energy sources.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik has already quit using fossil fuels to produce power. Iceland has abundant geothermal energy, and Reykjavik has been harnessing power from geothermal sources since the 1940s.
Zurich, Switzerland
Like Reykjavik, Zurich is also no longer using fossil fuels for electricity production. Switzerland has been a leader in hydropower for over a century, and the country's hydropower plants provide around 57% of the nation's electricity.
Aspen, Colorado, USA
Aspen has become the third city in the United States to run entirely on renewable energy. The city is boosting wind power and eliminating coal. Burlington, Vermont, and Greensburg, Kansas, are the other two US cities that have gone 100% renewable.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Addis Ababa is one of the five cities that do not use fossil fuels to produce electricity. It relies heavily on hydro, with the majority of its power coming from hydropower plants.
Padova, Italy
Padova is another city that relies on hydropower and is no longer dependent on fossil fuels for electricity production.
Other Notable Cities
Stockholm, San Francisco, and Vancouver are aiming for 100% renewable energy by 2050. Austin, Texas, aims to get 55% of its electricity from renewables by 2025. Curitiba, Brazil, has already met its 100% renewable energy goal. Hong Kong is using financial incentives to boost investments in renewable energy.
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Fossil fuel-producing communities and their disadvantages
Fossil fuel-producing communities are facing a 'cumulative burden' of pollution, poor health, and job loss. The transition to clean energy is a growing threat to these communities, and it is just one of many burdens they face.
In the United States, 28.5 million people living in energy communities are also living in disadvantaged communities. These disadvantages include excessive air pollution, high unemployment and poverty rates, inaccessible transportation, and health problems. For example, in California, one in five workers at the Marathon oil refinery was unemployed more than a year after it shut down, and those who found new jobs earned significantly less.
In Texas, 6.8 million people, or 49% of the population in energy communities, live in disadvantaged energy communities. Health-related burdens are prominent in Texas, but the population in disadvantaged energy communities is most exposed to workforce development-related indicators, such as linguistic isolation, poverty, and unemployment.
In West Virginia, more than 1.6 million people, or 89% of the population, live in energy communities. The majority of the burdens experienced in West Virginia are health-related, including low life expectancy and heart disease.
These communities are also vulnerable to socioeconomic and environmental stressors. For example, many high-producing counties have extremely high levels of air toxics, toxic water discharges, proximity to Superfund sites, and air pollution. The transition to clean energy could result in economic hardships for fossil fuel workers and communities, especially in more rural areas that are economically distressed.
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The role of cities in pushing for better national and international policies
Cities are becoming increasingly important in international affairs and policy formation. Their sheer size and wealth make their perspectives relevant to many national and international policies. This is especially true in the case of global health, climate change, migration, and economic growth.
In the context of climate change, cities have played a crucial role in pushing for more aggressive action. For example, prior to the 2015 Paris Climate Accord, cities around the world banded together to create the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, which laid the groundwork for the Paris Agreement and beyond. Cities are also at the forefront of the shift away from fossil fuels, with many introducing policies to boost renewable energy and enforce partial or complete bans on fossil fuels. As of 2024, 162 cities have quit using fossil fuels for power, with many more planning to cut back.
The growth and international clout of cities have been unparalleled in recent decades. They have become more globally connected and are actively forging links across borders, taking part in setting the international agenda. This shift is set to continue, with the urban population expected to more than double by 2050, at which point nearly 7 in 10 people will live in cities.
Cities are engines of economic growth and development, accounting for 80% of global GDP and 88% of private sector job creation. However, congestion, pollution, and sprawl prevent many cities from reaping the full benefits of agglomeration, limiting their potential for job creation. To address these challenges, strategic policy coordination and smart investment decisions are necessary. National and local governments must act decisively to shape their urban futures and create opportunities for all. This includes investing in urban infrastructure and services, strengthening local governance, and promoting vibrant local economies.
In conclusion, cities have a crucial role to play in pushing for better national and international policies. Their size, wealth, and global connections make them relevant players in policy formation, especially in addressing global challenges such as climate change and economic growth. By working together with national and international actors, cities can help create a better future for all.
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The impact of fossil fuels on highly populated cities
Fossil fuels have a significant impact on highly populated cities, and these urban areas are also particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Cities consume a large proportion of the world's energy, with figures ranging from 55% to 78% of the total energy consumed. They are also responsible for a high percentage of carbon dioxide emissions, with one source stating that cities produce 60% of greenhouse gas emissions, while another source states that they produce 75%.
The burning of fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. This contributes to global warming and climate change, with average global temperatures already having increased by 1°C, and passing 1.5°C in 2024. The increase in global temperatures has already led to extreme weather events, sea level rise, biodiversity loss, and species extinction. Cities are major contributors to climate change, and their high population density makes their residents highly vulnerable to its effects.
The impact of fossil fuels on the health of those living in highly populated cities is also significant. Fossil fuel pollution is responsible for one in five deaths globally. In the United States alone, 350,000 premature deaths in 2018 were attributed to fossil fuel-related pollution. Fossil fuel pollution disproportionately affects communities of colour and low-income communities, with Black and Hispanic Americans exposed to significantly more particulate matter pollution than they produce. In Louisiana, an area known as "Cancer Alley" has a cancer risk nearly 50 times higher than the national average due to the proximity of chemical plants and oil refineries. Fossil fuel-producing communities also face high rates of other health issues, such as asthma and heart disease.
However, there is a growing trend of cities shifting away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources. Cities like Reykjavik, Zurich, and Aspen, Colorado, have already quit using fossil fuels for power, and many others have introduced policies and targets to increase renewable energy use and reduce emissions. More than 1,300 cities had implemented such measures by the end of 2020, with 43 enforcing complete or partial bans on fossil fuels. This shift is often driven by competition and the example set by other cities, as well as the recognition that climate change is a reality that needs to be addressed.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels are coal, oil, and natural gas. They have been used to power economies for over 150 years and currently supply about 80% of the world's energy.
Cities account for 55% of the global population and consume around 75% of the world's energy. They are also responsible for 75% of carbon dioxide emissions. As a result, many cities are trying to reduce their use of fossil fuels to combat climate change.
Reykjavik and Zurich have already quit using fossil fuels to produce power. Other cities, such as Vancouver, have introduced policies to reach 100% renewable energy by 2050.
Cities are reducing their use of fossil fuels by transitioning to renewable energy sources such as hydropower, biomass, wind, geothermal, and solar energy. They are also improving energy efficiency and promoting waste management practices.
Cities that transition away from fossil fuels can offer a more resilient, healthy, and liveable environment for their residents. They can also create a dynamic, innovative, and green job market and protect assets and investments in the long term.
