By the numbers: How cities are going green

Starting in 2020, most new homes in California must install rooftop solar panels. Although this will add around US$9,500 in construction fees, it will save homeowners US$19,000 in energy bills over 30 years. Here are a few other places around the network striving to go green.

99% of the world’s electric buses are located in China. 9,500 new zero-emission buses are added to the country’s streets every five weeks – equivalent to London’s entire fleet.

In 2022, a new sustainable smart city near Oslo Airport will be completed. The 988-acre development will derive 100% of its energy needs from renewable sources.

Just under 450,000 bike trips take place each day in New York, up from 170,000 in 2005. Over the past decade, a total of 98 miles of protected bike lanes have been installed throughout the city.

Five million new trees will be planted in Sydney by 2030. 380,000 trees will be planted each year, eventually increasing the city’s existing tree canopy from the current 16.8% to 40%.

In 2025, the Danish capital of Copenhagen, aims to attain carbon neutrality through a combination of reduced carbon emissions and purchasing carbon offsets.

There is currently 80.5 hectares of skyrise greenery  –  including rooftop gardens and plants integrated into building façades – in Singapore. By 2030, that figure is projected to reach 200 hectares.

SEE ALSO: Why going green shouldn’t intimidate businesses

This article was originally published in the July 2018 issue of SilverKris magazine