Major Green Technology Innovation and Implementation Mechanisms

Cities are important for achieving emission reduction targets and for transforming development patterns. Their share of emissions and the total amount of emissions will both increase significantly in the future. Cities must reform the current financial and taxation system and GDP-oriented schema, using the green development concept. Cities must get rid of the development path of high input, high consumption, and high carbon emissions, thereby escaping the “lock-in effect” and fulfilling the country’s commitments on the Paris Agreement.

The next decade will be a period of significant opportunity for the development of green cities and green technologies. The urban population is expected to grow by 150 million over the
next 10 years; middle-income groups will be concentrated in cities, with new values and lifestyles. The huge increase in population and consumption that leads to resource wasting and emissions, however, is the driving force and opportunity for green transformation of the cities.

Green technology implementation is the main path to achieving the green transformation of cities. Many European and North American cities are aiming for “zero-carbon, zero-waste, healthy ecosystems” when building green cities that thrive. In this process, green technology is specifically used to reduce consumption, to lower emissions, and to improve the environment. The innovation and implementation of green technology enable these municipalities to foster green living and consumption patterns of citizens so as to share the benefits of green development.

Task Force: Innovation, Sustainable Production and Consumption Topic: Technology and Innovation Year: 2020 Phase: Phase VI (2017-2022) Concluded