C40 Cities is partnering with Google to launch the 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy for Cities program. The program will support cities around the world in exploring the concepts of 24/7 carbon-free energy (CFE), the acceleration of the decarbonisation of regional electricity grids, and enabling their residents to benefit from the clean energy transition. Initial pilot cities include London, Copenhagen, and Paris.
24/7 CFE requires meeting every kilowatt-hour of electricity consumption with carbon-free sources. To help meet this goal, the 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy for Cities program will develop and aid in the implementation of high-impact strategies, practices, and tools. Google will offer each partner city its expertise based on its experience from its decarbonisation journey, data and technology, and providing funding of US$900,000.
Each city will initially focus on different challenges associated with decarbonising urban electricity consumption, including: time-matched clean energy procurement for municipal operations; shifting energy use to times of day when solar and wind resources are most abundant; and expanding local clean energy through mini-grids and battery storage. They will also assess potential policy and market reforms that would expand access to clean energy and work to ensure that residents understand the economic, employment, and health benefits of a clean energy transition.
“When it comes to tackling the climate emergency, I’m determined to ensure that London continues to take bold action. As many national governments around the world dither, cities have a responsibility to act and to show what’s possible. We are the doers, not the delayers,” said Sadiq Khan, C40 Chair and Mayor of London. “The main cause of the climate emergency is fossil fuels, so I’m calling on cities around the world to join London and commit to rapidly phasing out their use. This partnership with Google is another crucial step in phasing out fossil fuels, reducing carbon emissions and building a better, greener London for everyone.”