5 Lessons on Building an Emissions-Free City | Heidi Sørensen | TED | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

This content discusses Oslo's climate measures, including the transformation of construction sites to zero-emission sites and the city's efforts to create a better quality of life through climate solutions.

Key Insights

• 🌍 Climate solutions can create better cities and improve quality of life for everyone, including reducing noise pollution and improving storm water runoff systems.
• 📈 Setting ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions can change mindsets and drive action across departments and agencies.
• 📊 Fragmentation of responsibility at different levels of government can hinder effective climate action, but a comprehensive government system, like a climate budget, can distribute responsibility and hold entities accountable.
• 💪 Being a demanding customer through procurement can drive market changes and accelerate the adoption of zero-emission technologies in industries like construction.
• 🚗 Transitioning to electric mobility can significantly reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and policies like toll roads and tax exemptions can incentivize the shift away from fossil fuels.
• ⚡️ Rapid technological advancements can transform markets, and the right policy interventions can incentivize and accelerate these changes.
• 📉 While progress has been made, there is still a need to continue developing and implementing measures to further reduce emissions, including addressing indirect emissions produced outside the city.
• ♀️ Oslo has prioritized walking and biking as core aspects of urban mobility, creating a city for walkers and bikers with safe cycling paths, clean public transport, and a focus on accessible locations and amenities.

Transcript

Hello. Let me start by showing you a construction site in my home city of Oslo. (Sounds of children playing) Did you hear something unusual? Indeed, the noise. The noise you hear was from the kindergarten nearby, not from the machine noise. The machines were electric, and so were the trucks that transport materials to and from the site. As head of ... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the purpose of the construction site in Oslo mentioned in the video?

The construction site in Oslo is aimed at opening up creeks and rivers that have been confined in pipelines for over 120 years. This is a climate measure to improve the storm water runoff system, increase the city's resilience to heavy rain, prevent flooding, and contribute to biodiversity in the city.

Q: What are some of the benefits of Oslo's climate measures?

Oslo's climate measures have resulted in cleaner air, reduced noise, safer streets, and a more human-centered city. These measures have been widely accepted and supported by the population, even those who may not originally have been concerned about climate change. The measures have created a better quality of life for everyone.

Q: What is the Oslo Climate Budget?

The Oslo Climate Budget is a document that was introduced in 2016 as a governance tool to structure and organize climate target policies and actions. It integrates the reduction of CO2 emissions into the municipal budget and assigns responsibility to specific departments and agencies for implementing climate measures. It ensures accountability and requires regular reporting on the status of all climate work.

Q: How has procurement played a role in driving zero-emission technologies in Oslo?

Oslo has used procurement as a tool to drive the development of zero-emission technologies in the construction sector. The city's procurement framework awards companies that can provide zero-emission services, and since 2019, all projects by the municipality have required zero-emission solutions as a core tender criterion. This has created a predictable demand for zero-emission machines and has increased their availability in Norway.

Q: What role has technology played in transitioning to zero-emission mobility in Oslo?

Technology development has played a significant role in Oslo's transition to zero-emission mobility. The city has seen a dramatic increase in the proportion of electric cars and buses on the roads, with 82% of all new passenger cars and 36% of new vans being zero-emission in 2022. This transition has been supported by policies such as national tax exemptions and investments in charging infrastructure. Procurement has also played a vital role in requiring zero-emission transport for all municipal purchases. This combination of factors has led to rapid market changes and increased adoption of zero-emission vehicles.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The construction site in Oslo is a climate measure that aims to improve the city's stormwater runoff system and prevent flooding, while also creating nicer areas and promoting biodiversity.

• Oslo's climate strategy has led to cleaner air, less noise, and safer streets, and has been well-received by the majority of the population.

• The city has been successful in driving the adoption of zero-emission technologies through procurement, and has made significant progress in transitioning to electric mobility, including electric cars, buses, trams, and ferries.