Cities have so far focused on reducing their sector-based emissions, such as from fuel combustion and waste treatment, but emissions are also generated in the consumption of all the goods and services that people living in cities use, including emissions from mining, manufacturing, distribution and retail. By focusing on these ‘consumption-based’ emissions, this infographic argues that cities could double their carbon cutting potential.

Our full evidence report shows that similarities in city consumption patterns also provides scope for collaboration on other high emitting sectors, such as car manufacturing, rice production, electronics, shipping and aviation.