Babayev: Cities generate over 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions

More than 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions are generated by modern cities, which consume almost 75% of the world's energy.

Report informs that Mukhtar Babayev, Representative of the President of Azerbaijan on Climate Issues and COP29 President, said this at WUF13 in Baku.

According to him, more than 55% of the world's population currently lives in cities, and this figure is expected to approach 70% by 2050. At the same time, by 2040, more than 1.4 billion people may live in low-lying coastal cities exposed to high climate risks.

Babayev cited UN-Habitat data showing that the share of green areas in the world's urban districts declined from almost 20% in 1990 to less than 14% in 2020. In addition, air pollution causes around 7 million premature deaths globally each year and results in trillions in economic losses due to healthcare costs and declining productivity.

"Buildings account for 30% of final energy consumption and almost 25% of emissions, while space cooling makes up about 20% of total electricity used in buildings," he said.

He also added that, if current trends continue, almost 3 billion people worldwide may lack access to adequate housing by 2030.