Cape Town approves new energy and carbon emissions targets

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The 2020 and 2030 targets form part of the city's compliance with the Compact of Mayors, which will be announced at the COP21 Paris Climate Change meetings to be held between November and December 2015. The Compact requires the city to establish new carbon emission targets.

The Energy 2040 Goal, which is based on the premise that a business-as-usual approach will have severe negative impacts on Cape Town and the Western Cape, will serve as a strategic tool for decision-making into the future and it will inform the full review of the city's Energy and Climate Action Plan (ECAP), which was approved in 2010. The city exceeded the city-wide and municipal operations energy efficiency targets which were set in the 2010 plan.

"Following a business-as-usual trajectory indicates a doubling of energy consumption and emissions and a tenfold increase in energy costs to the Cape Town economy by 2040. Such a future would make the city extremely vulnerable to external impacts and shocks and the increased emissions would further contribute to human-induced climate change. The economy would be placed under pressure due to unsustainable input cost burdens," said the city's Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Environmental and Spatial Planning, Johan van der Merwe.

Leading city

"The Energy 2040 Goal models a more resilient, lower carbon, resource-efficient and equitable future for Cape Town which grows the administration's stature as a leading and innovative city. City economies, which are heavily dependent on energy, require a strong commitment to identify and to enact innovative and sustainable responses for their energy and climate futures.

"In Cape Town, for instance, it can be seen that as the population increases and incomes grow, the demand for energy is escalating. The current electricity supply constraints, tariff increases, the increased burden of transport congestion, increasing fuel costs and battle to transform our city spatially, need immediate as well as a long-term solutions," said Van der Merwe.

It is proposed that the city's Energy 2040 Goal comprise, amongst others:

• a 37% reduction in carbon emissions (21% from energy efficiency alone);
  
• less dependency on coal, with extensive embedded renewable generation in the commercial and residential sectors as well as diversified large-scale energy supply with photovoltaics, wind, storage and possibly natural gas;
  
• over 500,000 solar water heaters and heat pumps would be installed by residents;
  
• a modal shift from private to public transport with increased access to public transport and motorised passenger-travel in efficient vehicles with higher occupancy levels;
  
• a remodelled city with increased densification and mixed use in areas of economic activity; and
  
• increased energy savings from efficiency and cheaper energy.