Towards low carbon based economic development: Shanghai as a C40 city

•The state quo of Shanghai energy sector is analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively.•Three main development challenges of Shanghai energy sector are identified.•C40 framework is suitable for tackling the development challenges.

As a result of its rapid industrialization process, China has become the greatest emitter of carbon dioxide world-wide. Consequently, Shanghai - the most industrialized city in China - is facing serious challenges arising from carbon emissions and climate change in general. The main question of this paper is: How can Shanghai continue its economic growth, while controlling the negative consequences of its energy use and production in a responsible way? For the approach, it explores the use of the C40 framework, as an application and specification of new synergy seeking approaches, such as Value Sensitive Design. The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group is a global city-level network to address climate change and promote world-class projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this paper, a quantitative analysis of Shanghai's energy trends is made as well as a SWOT analysis to map and evaluate its current environmental, social, economic and political characteristics. Three main challenges are presented, related to institutional inclusiveness, global relations, and long-term innovation. In view of the initiatives, targets, and the whole network of the C40 movement, this paper concludes that Shanghai is strongly recommended to fully use the C40 framework in creating a sustainable and responsible future.

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