Huseyn Hasanov: Cities account for 70% of global carbon emissions

Every road, energy grid and transport system built today will determine the level of carbon emissions for the next 50 years.

Report informs that Huseyn Hasanov, head of the Digital Ecology information system management group at Azerbaijan's Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, said this at the session titled "Green Technologies in Urban Development: Accelerating the Transition to Sustainable and Resilient Cities," held as part of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.

According to him, cities occupy only 2% of the Earth's surface, but account for 70% of global carbon emissions. In this regard, decisions already being made in urban planning will have long-term consequences for the climate.

"The buildings we design today will still be standing in 2080. Getting them right is not a choice, but a necessity," the expert stressed.