Local policy and legislation in cities around the world plays a powerful role in the fight against anthropogenic climate change. It is increasingly encouraged, for example, the Basque Declaration (2016), outlines new pathways for European Cities and Towns to create productive, sustainable and resilient cities. So, in this blog post we will walk through the impact of four local laws on emissions from buildings and vehicles in the UK, the US and Spain to identify the most effective aspects of such legislation.
This ordinance mandates the reporting and benchmarking of annual energy and water consumption of larger buildings with the aim of unlocking energy and cost saving opportunities for businesses and residents. A score is assigned between 0-4 stars, and it must be displayed, if not a fine of up to $9,200 a year may be imposed. Framing the policy with a focus primarily on economic efficient may have contributed to its success and acceptance, with over 1000 buildings voluntarily benchmarking themselves in Chicago.
Local Laws 95 and 97 in New York City aim to reduce emissions released by larger buildings by 40% in 2030 and by 80% by 2050. Local Law 95, like the initiative in Chicago, requires the reporting and benchmarking of annual energy and water consumption with an efficiency score assigned, if not a fine of up to $1250 may be imposed. However, the focus of the policy is energy, not economic efficiency. Local Law 97 complements this by introducing an emissions limit to be complied with by 2024, to be lowered again in 2030. These measures, coupled with the introduction of PACE loans, which help buildings go green, have catalysed a move towards greater investment in sustainable technology.
London’s Low Emission Zone charges older, more polluting vehicles a fee to drive within the zone with the aim of improving air quality. More recently, in April 2019, an Ultra-Low Emissions Zone was introduced in London. This introduced a fee for most polluting vehicles within the zone. The impact of these zones has been to incentives greater use public transport and electric vehicles (EV’s). Although it should be noted that without a collective effort it is impossible to eradicate air pollution in any given area.
Madrid Central: Low Emission Zone was introduced with the aim of meeting the EU’s limits on NOx. Introduced in 2018, it banned pre-2008 diesel and pre-2000 petrol vehicles in the zone. Initial data suggested it was successful, with NOx falling by 38%, C02 falling by 14.2% and particulates falling by 8.9% within the first month. However, it quickly became a bipartisan issue – after the 2019 mayoral election a new mayor was elected from the opposing, centre-right political party. Consequently, in July 2020 it was suspended by the Supreme Court on a legal technicality picked up by the new mayor’s office.
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