Cities generate 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making them central to climate action. By measuring emissions, cities can target interventions, improve decision-making, and foster transparency. Using frameworks like the GPC and tools like CityCatalyst, local governments can align with global goals and accelerate progress toward a sustainable future.
As the world faces the escalating urgency of the climate crisis, cities stand at the forefront of global efforts to combat it. Representing more than half of the world’s population and producing the majority of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, cities have a unique opportunity and responsibility to drive meaningful change.
And it all starts with a critical first step: measuring emissions.
Traditionally, climate data has been focused at the national level, often overlooking the granular insights that emerge from city-specific inventories. A city with a well-documented GHG inventory is better equipped to:
As the saying goes, what gets measured, gets managed.
Tools like CityCatalyst make this process easier than ever by providing preloaded datasets, smart data integration, and intuitive workflows—even for teams without technical expertise.
While data collection may seem daunting, cities don’t have to start from scratch. The Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories (GPC) offers a clear and standardized methodology that ensures credibility and comparability.
CityCatalyst is built with GPC compatibility in mind, helping local teams generate robust inventories in hours, not weeks. The platform supports automated data harmonization across sectors and formats, ensuring that every step -from input to output- is aligned with global standards.
Openly disclosing emissions fosters public trust and accountability. Citizens are more likely to support climate initiatives when they understand the scope of the problem—and how their city plans to solve it.
Transparency also attracts funding. Investors, development banks, and grant providers increasingly look for cities with reliable climate data and clear action plans. With CityCatalyst, cities can export ready-to-use reports to support proposals, public communication, and governance.
Each city faces unique climate challenges—from mobility to energy to waste. With accurate and timely data, local leaders can make informed decisions and channel resources where they’ll have the most impact.
Platforms like CityCatalyst go a step further by visualizing risks, tracking sector-specific emissions, and suggesting high-impact actions powered by AI. Whether it’s investing in low-carbon transport or retrofitting buildings, having the right data leads to better outcomes.
Climate action is not a solo effort. Measuring emissions encourages collaboration—within city departments, between levels of government, and with consultants, NGOs, and the private sector.
CityCatalyst supports real-time collaboration through a shared, secure platform where multiple stakeholders can work together on inventories, risk assessments, and action planning. The result: better alignment, faster workflows, and shared ownership of climate goals.
Measuring emissions doesn’t just help manage the present—it helps communicate progress. Cities that track their data can showcase their climate leadership and serve as inspiration for others.
In an era where good climate news is rare, sharing local success stories can ignite change far beyond city borders.
In an ever-urbanizing world, cities are the epicenters of both human activity and human-driven emissions. Measuring greenhouse gas emissions is more than a technical step—it’s a powerful act of leadership.
And thanks to tools like CityCatalyst, cities can now take this step with confidence, clarity, and speed.
Measure better, manage smarter, and lead the way.
Because every city has the potential to become a model of sustainable living—and the journey starts here.
