The Urban Pathways Implementation Tracker is tracking the Projects Progress
City Profile: Buenos Aires The Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA by its Spanish Acronym) has a population of ca. 3 million inhabitants. However, the CABA is part of an urban agglomeration of approximately 15 million people, known as the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires. An inhabitant of Buenos Aires produces in average 4,47 tCO2-eqevery year. Between 2000 and 2014 the GHG emissions in Buenos Aires rose 17% and the BAU scenario shows that by 2030 the emissions would rise 36% above 2008 levels if no actions are taken. Buenos Aires has set the goal of reducing its GHG emissions in 30% until 2030 with respect to the estimated emissions of the BAU scenario. Moreover, Buenos Aires is one of the C40 cities that have committed to cero emissions by 2050. In 2010 the government of the City of Buenos Aires began the execution of the Climate Change Action Plan 2010-2020. The implementation of the measures included in the plan accounted for GHG emission savings of 460,000 tCO2-eq per year between 2010 and 2015. The goal by 2020 is a reduction of 1.46 million tCO2-eq to the BAU projected levels of 2020.
Transport The transport sector generates 28% of the total GHG emission. From those 97% are produced by road transport and 3% by trains and subways. More than 3 million people commute from the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires to the CABA every day. Among the measures that Buenos Aires has been implementing since 2010 are the extension of the BRT in 38,5 km, the improvement and extension of the subway system with 19 new stations and the construction of 140 km of additional bike lanes and the expansion of the bike sharing system with 400 new stations and 6,000 bicycles. These actions will generate a GHG emission reduction of 464,000 tCO2-eq in 2020.
Waste Management The waste sector accounts for 14% of the city’s GHG emissions. Each inhabitant of the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires produces in average of 0.42 tonnes of solid waste every year. In 2007, the CABA introduced a new regulation by which every household is forced to conduct separation at source. This measure, combined with the introduction of recycling points, has been key in the reduction of the solid waste taken to the municipal landfill in 72%. Moreover, since 2013 the solid waste goes to a mechanical treatment plant in a landfill located outside the boundaries of the CABA. This plant is able to collect recyclable materials and stabilize the organic matter. This will be complemented with the construction of new treatment plants and collection points, which will lead to a GHG emissions reduction of 650,000 tCO2-eq in 2020.
Energy The energy sector is the most pollutant sector accounting for 58% of total emissions. From those, 50% are generated by residential buildings, 40% by commercial and institutional buildings and 10% by the industry. The government of the City of Buenos Aires has implemented energy efficiency measures in public buildings and has shifted public lighting and street lights to LED technology. The energy savings generated by these measures would account for a reduction of 330,000 tCO2-eq in 2020.