Mahesh Ramanujam is the co -founder, president and chief executive Global network for zero.
In September 2024, Hurricane Helene, the deadliest storm to strike the United States since Katrina, resulted in more than 200 deaths and $ 78 billion Damage. While residents and businesses were still in shock from this disaster, Hurricane Milton touched Earth in the same region, intensifying category 1 to 5 in less than a day. In the first days of 2025, forest fires in Los Angeles killed 29 people, destroyed more than 16,000 structuresand ravaged on 57,000 acresor almost four times the size of Manhattan.
These crises highlight an uncomfortable truth for cities around the world. In simple terms, natural disasters and the pace we know their catastrophic impacts are directly linked to a global failure of imagination – to our collective reluctance to accept the very predictable consequences of a warming planet and to plan accordingly. We are at a critical moment when we must speak honestly about the current state of urban planning, the reason why the fight against the built environment must pass first and what we have to do to prepare for tomorrow.
Almost 40% Carbon carbon emissions come from the built environment – which means that the very existence of structures with high carbon intensity is a deep cause of extreme weather events that wreak havoc and accelerate the rhythm of a warming planet. Again, Only 0.023% Buildings of the world are clear zero – and even those which mainly cover the emissions of scope 1 and 2, ignoring chain 3 or value chain emissions, which represent the majority of most emissions. The good news is that with the Proptech revolution, a roadmap to radically change the pace of the pursuit of zero emissions is on the horizon. In fact, the technology available for cities to progress in the three categories, and specifically to fill this gap and direct a building, the revolution of scope 3 is already there.
Take advantage 3 with technology
Construct strategies for reducing the imprint, in particular those which approach the emissions of scope 3 of a structure, help to telegraph what can be done in the rest of the operations and infrastructures of a city. This includes reducing energy demand, improving energy efficiency, the implementation of district energy systems, transition to renewable energies and prioritization of electrification of all systems. For transport, important initiatives include Alternative fuel vehicles, infrastructure for alternative fuelsand the use of public transport. Industrial process and product use policies are also crucial, as well as the effectiveness of processes and waste management with regard to agriculture, forestry and other use of the city.
But living in the real definition of a clear zero city will require leadership to first understand the wide range of technologies at their disposal. The most used technology that cities are implementing for the reduction of large -scale emissions includes renewable energies of solar energyWind energy, geothermal energy, hydroelectricity and green hydrogen. Other reduction technologies Cities can take advantage of energy storage systems which allow cities to store excess energy generated from renewable sources and use it later if necessary, such as pompeae hydroelectricity, batteries and the storage of thermal-mechanical energy.
Emerging technologies such as direct air capture or DAC, which involves removing CO2 directly from the atmosphere, are becoming more and more popular. Some cities Invest in DAC factories to capture carbon and store them underground or use it in products such as synthetic fuels or building materials. And of course, there are technology adoption cities that capture carbon emissions and transform them into usable materials, such as carbon -based building materials or carbon -based or carbon -based materials Synthetic fuels.
Cities planners also run To digital twinsA virtual replica and focused on data from an entire city – which uses real -time information of sensors and other sources to create a dynamic representation, allowing urban planners and decision -makers to simulate different scenarios, test of potential interventions and to make infrastructure decisions, traffic management, environmental impact, and even more. AI is also effectively integrated throughout operations. Cities are Integration of AI and robotics into waste management systems To automate other challenges in scope 3, in particular waste of waste, increased recycling rates and reduction of discharge emissions. AI also helps cities with energy waste innovations Gazetification and pyrolysis of plasma arcs Convert waste to synthetic fuel or electricity in a cleaner and more effective way than traditional incineration methods. AI and Blockchain technology is more in -depth Help cities to manage Decentralized energy systems.
How industry leaders can get involved
For business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors who direct and shape our cities, there are many ways to embrace the technology of the future that will decarbonize our infrastructure and shape the speech that surrounds it. First of all, you can promote green funding and investments to help evolve this technology on a large scale. Second, stay ahead of the curve and keep inquiring about the latest emerging technology and how it could help your business. Third, as far as possible, implement main technologies of your own business to maximize efficiency and reduce emissions. Adopt the main sustainability strategies such as green supply policies and sustainable consumption and use software available to assess the carbon footprint of your organization.
And finally, scream your success of the roofs! Share back on investment stories, which will help other organizations to see what is possible for them. You can also use your confidence voice as a leader in your community, defend politicians and partnerships, and urge your city leaders to join global initiatives such as the C40 or the World Alliance of Mayors.
Conclusion
The truth is that throughout history, innovation has always set the tone, the trend and the rhythm in which humanity will go. This moment is no different. A current failure of the imagination must be developed on innovation to the test of the future. Business leaders and investors must work with their cities to use the technology available to make a drastic range of scope 3 in the construction of steps. The cities that are transformed with the awareness that in the middle of a warming world, the buildings where we live, work and thrive can and must be our greatest asset to accelerate decarbonization are those which open up progress through the municipalities as a whole.
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