The energy systems that provide the "life blood" to cities are as complex and diverse as cities themselves. Reflecting local natural resource and economic conditions, supply chains that may extend globally, historic investments in technology, and cultural and political preferences, urban energy systems serve as either a key accelerator or brake on the vitality and prospects of a city or urban region. Because of this, the local energy system can be of great interest to policymakers in a city, and many have begun to develop plans that seek to change one or more aspects of this system over the coming decades.
Climate change concerns are increasingly a key driver behind these changes, with local authorities seeking to reduce their city’s current level of contribution to global climate change. Climate is not the only reason local authorities engage on energy issues, however. In some cases, cities are seeking to ameliorate pollution attributable to local energy use, while in other cities, economic development is a key concern. The latter is particularly prominent in developing countries, where a lack of access to adequate, reliable energy services continues to impede the economic growth of many cities (UNDP/ WHO, 2009). In these situations, climate-related concerns are often secondary to efforts to improve access to modern energy services to reduce poverty, allow for new types of economic activity, and improve public health.
Looking to the future, climate change may stress local energy systems in many different and profound ways. The level of impact will vary significantly based on the age of the system, the ease with which the underlying technology or fuels can be changed or made more climate resilient, and the nature and severity of the climate change-related impacts likely to occur in that city. The capital-intensive nature of energy technology, and the decades-long lifespan of much of the energy supply and distribution infrastructure serving most cities, compounds the challenge of addressing climate change in a comprehensive manner. To date, relatively few cities have systematically explored how or whether their energy system must change to adapt to new climatic conditions.
This topic explores these issues, weaving in examples and data from a range of types and sizes of cities around the world. The topic begins with a generalized discussion of how cities obtain and use energy and govern energy matters. Although this discussion is somewhat lengthy, it is important to understand energy system and market fundamentals because they are so relevant to the subsequent discussion about climate change stresses and current policymaking efforts. The topic concludes with commentary on areas for future research and potential policy changes that can help cities improve their management of local energy systems in the coming decades.
