Citizens want to live in climate-friendly cities

This is one of the key results from a survey done prior to the Climate Summit for Mayors in Copenhagen. Improved public transport, stricter rules for company CO2 emissions and switching off lights in public buildings at night are examples of areas that the citizens of Copenhagen, London, New York, Tokyo and Toronto feel that their cities should target, according to a new survey.

Cities across the world are currently investing in a wide variety of climate-friendly provisions in order to achieve cleaner air, save energy and reduce CO2 emissions. City governments are able to do this without fearing for their popularity because they have the support of three out of four citizens. A new survey done by the City of Copenhagen, host of the Climate Summit for Mayors, has shown that citizens of Copenhagen, London, New York, Tokyo and Toronto find it important to live in a city which focuses on climate.

“It is pleasing to see that the citizens want to live in climate-friendly cities. We perceive this as a strong signal from the Copenhageners that we have backing for the many climate investments we have made to ensure cleaner air for our citizens,” says Copenhagen Lord Mayor Ritt Bjerregaard.

In the survey, citizens were asked to select three focus areas that their politicians should give the highest priorities. The survey did not provide a clear-cut answer. But the three areas that achieved the greatest overall backing were improved public transport, stricter rules for company CO2 emissions, and switching off the lights in public buildings at night.

The survey also shows that most citizens believe that the big countries in particular should be in the forefront of efforts targeting CO2 emissions. The perception was also that there isn’t one single party that can be made responsible but that politicians, businesses and organisations must all make an effort to reduce CO2 emissions.

The survey was carried out by Advice A/S and the data was gathered in November 2009 (and earlier in January 2009).

Read more about Copenhagen Climate Summit for Mayors at: www.climatesummitformayors.dk

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