London can meet international greenhouse gas reduction targets without a dramatic shift in its citizens’ lifestyle. This is a central finding of the study “Sustainable Urban Infrastructure” presented today in London at the Siemens Media Summit. Adopting currently available technologies could reduce annual CO₂ emissions in the British metropolis by nearly 44 percent – almost 20 megatonnes (Mt) – by 2025 compared to 1990. Working with Siemens, the international management consultants McKinsey & Company analysed more than 200 technological levers that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water usage and waste disposal in the city. The study shows that the adoption of many technologies for reducing greenhouse gases also makes good economic sense. Almost 70 percent of the potential abatement could be achieved with the help of technologies that would pay for themselves, largely by reducing energy costs.

Jeremy Oppenheim, Director McKinsey & Company on his presentation of the study at the Media Summit 2008 in London.