For a number of years, a group of C40 cities active in the Green Growth Network have been working to understand the size and nature of their green economies. This information – including economic value, number of jobs, number of companies, specialist sectors, exports, and green growth potential – is crucial to help cities identify where the most effective interventions can be made and help make the case for further sustainable policies that help grow the green economy.
Vancouver recently released research showing employment growth of 19% between 2010 and 2013 in their green and food sectors, whilst research from London highlighted that over 9,200 green businesses employ over 163,500 people there.
Under a new project, starting today, C40 is helping seven of its member cities go one step further, and has commissioned global experts kMatrix to prepare analyses of each city's green economy using a standard methodology, which will allow for direct comparison between the cities, and identification of the areas of strength across these cities.
“The green economy in cities is a major driver of economic growth, a growing employer and the area the most advanced cities are looking to for future economic success and sustainability," said James Alexander, Head of C40’s Finance and Economic Development Initiative. "This new research project will help seven of our most active C40 member cities to measure – and build on – their green economic success. We look forward to seeing the results and deepening our understanding of what drives the green economy in cities around the world.”
The participating cities – Copenhagen, London, New York, Oslo, Portland, Sydney and Vancouver – supported by C40, have worked for a number of months to develop and bring to market a shared contracting approach. This development has been made possible by C40's active and engaged global city networks.
The research will be completed in October 2016.