SA Roofing November 2018 // Issue 106 | страница 4

EDITOR’S COLUMN Giving low carbon the green light WHAT’S ON 7 November 2018 Manufacturing Indaba Western Cape Century City Convention Centre, Cape Town www.manufacturingindaba.co.za 20 to 21 February 2019 KZN Construction Expo Durban Exhibition Centre, Durban www.kzn-construction.co.za 11 to 13 June 2019 African Construction and Totally Concrete Expo Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Johannesburg www.totallyconcrete.co.za A cleaner greener future is no longer a pipe dream as key global cities have significantly reduced their greenhouse gas emissions. Amidst growing economies and rising population levels, 27 of the world’s greatest cities have seen their greenhouse gas emissions fall over a five-year period, achieving at least a 10% reduction on their peak emissions. Representing 54 million urban citizens and USD6-trillion in GDP, 27 of the C40 Cities network – including the likes of Barcelona, London, New York City, Paris, Rome and Sydney – have continued to decrease emissions by an average of 2% a year since their peak, while populations grew by 1.4% a year, and their economies by 3% a year on average. C40 Cities connects 96 of the world’s greatest cities to take bold climate action, leading the way towards a healthier and more sustainable future. C40 and Arup’s Deadline 2020 research stipulates that cities in Europe, North America and Australia must peak their emissions by no later than 2020, with all global cities reaching the same milestone by around 2030. C40’s analysis reveals that these 27 cities had already peaked their emissions before 2012, the latest year for which peaking can be identified. Many more cities worldwide are also on track to peak their emissions by 2020. 2 NOVEMBER 2018 CLADDING // CONCRETE // INSULATION // STEEL // THATCH // TIMBER // TRANSLUCENT // WATERPROOFING // COMPONENTS According to the C40 Cities network, data reveals concrete evidence that many cities are on schedule to achieve the 2020 milestone, crucial to delivering their share of the Paris Agreement goals in keeping global temperature increase to 1.5°C. Scientists have calculated that global greenhouse gas emissions need to peak by 2020 at the latest and then come down very steeply. At present, global emissions are still rising. To date, mayors of more than 60 C40 cities have publicly committed to develop and begin implementing ambitious climate action plans by 2020 that go beyond national commitments. These plans will see many more cities achieve peak emissions in the coming years and become emissions-neutral by no later than 2050. Daniel Zarrilli, New York City’s chief climate policy advisor, says the actions taken by cities around the world are further proof that local governments are leading the way in confronting the biggest challenge of our time. He adds, “Together, we are taking the bold and decisive steps needed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and create a safer, more sustainable future.” As a C40 member, South Africa has the potential to join the global greenhouse gas reduction drive through smart and sustainable green building. How will our built environment contribute towards the movement? The choice is ours… 24 to 26 July 2019 KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition (KITE) Durban Exhibition Centre, Durban www.kznindustrial.co.za 29 July to 1 August 2020 Interbuild Africa Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, Johannesburg www.interbuild.co.za SEND US YOUR EVENTS Email [email protected] Candace Sofianos King | senior writer [email protected] www.saroofing.co.za