Megacities face renewables reality

Population density and grid constraints could limit renewables’ capacity to power Asia-Pacific's rapidly expanding urban metropolises

Asia-Pacific countries have come under international pressure to lower the carbon footprints of their rapidly expanding megacities. But national leaders are concerned that replacing legacy transmission systems in sprawling, high-density population centres with renewable energy infrastructure could threaten those cities’ economic growth. Global development officials called for an overhaul of climate change planning for Asia’s cities on 15 October. “Cities in Asia-Pacific are at the forefront of global efforts for the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Our cities must be better planned, managed and financed to protect the environment,” said Maimunah Mohd Sharif, executive director of UN-Habit