How cities take action on fossil fuels
Principles for local roadmaps to transition away from fossil fuels
2026
With 70 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions coming from urban areas, cities are becoming key players in accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels.
Faced with the climate emergency, air pollution and volatile energy prices, the municipalities in the C40 network are leading by example by rethinking their infrastructure, finances and public policies.
This report, published in 2026, sets out a practical framework for action to help cities develop ambitious local roadmaps aligned with the Paris Agreement. Through technological innovation, social justice and international cooperation, cities are proving that the transition is not only necessary but also beneficial for health, employment and economic resilience.
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Cities at the forefront of the energy transition : how can we move away from fossil fuels ?
An urgent reality: fossil fuels, a global scourge
The climate crisis is inextricably linked to our dependence on fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas). These are the main source of CO₂ emissions and air pollutants, with dramatic consequences: millions of premature deaths, volatile energy prices and extreme weather events. Yet, despite a global political consensus (illustrated by the historic commitment made at COP28 in 2023: moving towards phasing out fossil fuels)1, obstacles remain (see p. 5 of the report).
Cities, which account for 70 per cent of global emissions, have a key role to play. Their capacity for action takes many forms: urban regulations (building standards, electrification of transport), local finances (investment in renewable energy), and training programmes for green jobs. However, they cannot act alone: increased support from national governments is essential to unlock funding and modernise energy systems.
Guiding principles for a just and effective transition
To transform their Climate Action Plans (CAPs)2 into credible roadmaps for phasing out fossil fuels, C40 proposes three guiding principles (see pp. 8–9) :
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Set science-based emissions reduction targets : cities must adopt ambitious targets, aligned with the IPCC’s scenarios3 to limit global warming to 1.5 °C, with binding interim milestones. These targets must be equitable, taking local capacities into account.
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Develop ambitious sectoral strategies : each sector (transport, buildings, energy, waste) must be covered by a detailed transition plan, including quantified targets for electrification, the switch to renewable energy or improvements in energy efficiency. In Stockholm, for example, the Klimathandlingsplan 2030 aims for carbon neutrality by 2040 (see p. 13).
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Use all available levers : cities have five categories of powers (see Table on p. 10) :
- Political and social influence (communication, education, advocacy) .
- Voluntary programmes and partnerships (incentives for businesses and citizens).
- Regulatory powers (standards, taxes, grants).
- Operations and public procurement (sustainable procurement, electrification of municipal fleets).
- Urban asset management (buildings, land, infrastructure).
These levers must be mobilised in tandem to phase out support for fossil fuels and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy.
Six concrete areas for action for cities
The report details six priority areas for action (see p. 11) :
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An honest dialogue on fossil fuels: raising awareness amongst citizens and businesses of the catastrophic impacts of fossil fuels and the benefits of the transition (cleaner air, lower bills, green jobs). Cities can draw on local data (such as the Breathe Cities programme4 in Accra, Bogotá and Bangkok) or take legal action (e.g. : London submitted evidence to challenge the UK’s air quality plans, leading to the creation of Low Emission Zones in other English cities).
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Affordable, safe and reliable fuels : accelerating the transition to electric and renewable systems in buildings, transport and industry. For example, New Delhi has banned coal for domestic heating, whilst Seattle offers free energy audits for low-income households.
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Modern energy supplies : developing local energy networks based on renewable energy, in collaboration with businesses, regional governments and workers. Amsterdam has, for example, drawn up a ‘ Heat Transition Vision ’ to phase out fossil gas by 2040 (see p. 19).
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Future-proof infrastructure : avoid investment in fossil-fuel infrastructure (power stations, pipelines, terminals) and repurpose existing sites for renewable uses. New York has, for example, banned the expansion of fossil-fuel infrastructure through Executive Order 52 (2020)5.
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Exemplary municipal assets and operations : cities must lead by example by electrifying their own buildings, vehicles and equipment. Oslo has reduced emissions from its municipal assets by 90 per cent since 2012, thanks to strict climate budgeting.
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Financial independence from fossil fuels : severing financial ties with the fossil fuel industry (advertising, partnerships, investments). Amsterdam was the first city to ban advertising for fossil fuels in 2020, followed by Sydney (2022) and Stockholm (2026).
Challenges and solutions to unlock action
Despite their willingness to act, cities face major obstacles : lack of funding, economic dependence on fossil fuels, insufficient support from national governments, and misinformation (see p. 27). To overcome these, C40 proposes several approaches :
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Building local political support : engaging citizens in the transition through awareness-raising campaigns (e.g. : highlighting the health benefits of phasing out fossil fuels) and training programmes for green jobs.
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Strengthening international cooperation: participating in initiatives such as the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty6 (supported by 17 countries and 130 cities, including Los Angeles and Paris).
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Bridge the funding gap: advocate for better access to climate finance from national governments and international financial institutions.
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Secure greater powers : seek clear mandates from national governments to take action (e.g. the power to sign renewable electricity purchase agreements directly with producers).
Conclusion : cities, spearheading a global transition
This C40 report demonstrates that cities already have the tools to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels. By combining local leadership, innovation and international cooperation, they can reduce their emissions, improve air quality, create green jobs and strengthen their economic resilience.
However, to scale up these efforts, greater support from national governments is essential : appropriate funding, a favourable regulatory framework and recognition of the key role cities play in the energy transition.
As the report emphasises, “a just transition is not a sacrifice, but an opportunity“ to build healthier, fairer and more prosperous cities.
1 COP28 took place from 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. It marked a turning point by formally adopting, for the first time, a call for a transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, whilst also conducting the first global review of the Paris Agreement.
2 The Climate Plan (often referred to by the acronym PCAET, standing for Territorial Climate-Air-Energy Plan) is a local sustainable development project. Mandatory in France for inter-municipal bodies with more than 20,000 inhabitants, it aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, help the region adapt to climate change and improve air quality.
3) IPCC: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
4) Breathe Cities is a $45 million global initiative launched to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions in 16 major cities around the world.
5) Signed by the Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, on 6 February 2020, DECREE NO. 52 commits the city to halting the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure, such as new gas pipelines, transhipment terminals and fossil fuel-fired power generation capacity, in order to meet the climate targets of the Paris Agreement.
6) Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Fossil Fuels is an international initiative launched in 2019 by Pacific island states. It aims to complement the Paris Agreement by establishing a binding framework to halt the expansion of coal, oil and gas, organise the phase-out of their production and ensure a just transition
Sources
To go further
C40 Cities : www.c40.org/