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Institute for Sustainable Communities receives funding from Swedish Postcode Foundation to decarbonize Chinese cities

Washington, DC
20 May 2020

For immediate release:

The Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) is launching an 18-month project to dramatically reduce global climate emissions and the scale of global climate disruption in Changsha, Guangzhou, and Tianjin cities in China. The China Deep Decarbonization and Equitable Long-term Strategies Alliance (China DELTA) will be seeded by the Swedish Postcode Foundation with a grant of $500,000 USD. The Foundation is the first international donor to sign onto the alliance as ISC mobilizes a global effort to achieve China’s net zero goals.

China DELTA is the first project of its kind, providing a planning roadmap for Chinese cities to deliver on China’s 2060 carbon neutrality pledge. If China succeeds, it will eliminate 30% of the world’s net carbon emissions, potentially mitigating or averting the devastating impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities, and serving as a model for countries worldwide. ISC estimates China DELTA will put Changsha, Guangzhou, and Tianjin cities on course to avert 1 billion cumulative metric tons of CO2 equivalent by 2060.

ISC’s holistic approach will equip and support local leaders and practitioners in Chinese cities, which generate 85% of China’s total CO2 emissions. With coal-intensive energy use, dense vehicular traffic, and heavy polluting industries, decarbonizing China’s cities will require a wholesale rethinking of Chinese societal and economic practices, with communities at the center of climate solutions. By providing training, coaching, and science-based tools, ISC will equip communities to shape an inclusive climate agenda.

ISC and its many partners in China have dedicated the last 15 years to perfecting methodologies that will advance and achieve a low carbon future. Since 2006, ISC has assisted 30 Chinese cities in advancing low carbon sustainable development strategies and initiatives and supported 13 cities in the completion and implementation of low emissions development plans. This work established the go-to model for urban early emission peaking efforts in China with a projected CO2 reduction impact of 100 million metric tons, equivalent to the annual emissions of 21.6 million passenger cars.

China’s 2060 pledge offers tremendous hope to the global community in its efforts to mitigate or avert the potentially devastating impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations across the globe –- from the collapse of food systems to forced migrations, catastrophic natural disasters, and the proliferation of debilitating infectious diseases. It is no overstatement to assert that the fate of populations worldwide will depend on projects like China DELTA that advance locally-driven solutions supported and accelerated by global partnerships.

Media Inquiries please contact:
In Washington:
Zach Hauser, Senior Program Officer
T: +1 202-810-3577
E: zhauser@sustain.org

In Beijing:
Pan Tao, China Program Director
T:+86 158 0058 3546
E: pantao@iscchina.org

About ISC
The Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) is an independent nonprofit founded in Vermont in 1991 that drives innovative sustainability and climate solutions by transforming communities, cities, and factories. ISC supports communities and businesses around the world to address environmental, economic, and social challenges to build a better future shaped and shared by all. More information on ISC can be found at sustain.org or follow us on twitter @SustainableComm