A sustainable and inclusive urban future

With more than half of the global population residing in urban areas as of November 2022, and projections indicating that this will rise to 70% of the population by 2050, a myriad of challenges have been introduced. Urban residents face dangerous levels of air pollution, inadequate infrastructure, and increased traffic congestion. Energy-based solutions, such as vehicle electrification and renewable energy development, offer a promising avenue for addressing some of these challenges by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and developing integrated renewable sources. However, an important question remains: how sustainable are these energy-based solutions? While energy-based solutions may offer many climate and health co-benefits, like reduced greenhouse gas emissions, it poses challenges to long-term sustainability in and beyond cities. For instance, the production of batteries—vital for electric vehicles—relies on rare earth metals and minerals, but the mining of these materials causes environmental problems such as water pollution and radioactive contamination. In addition, once these batteries have reached the end of their life cycle, their disposal creates difficulties due to the complex composition of these materials. Nonetheless, this is not without solutions; recycling retired batteries presents a promising solution. A study led by Lei Zhu, published in this issue, finds that reusing retired batteries for rural electrification in China could contribute to sustainable development goals and carbon neutrality. However, it should be noted that reusing retired batteries might not always be feasible. It therefore becomes imperative to explore alternative disposal methods that minimise environmental impacts. The individual adopters of energy-based solutions may not be equally distributed across all societal groups, resulting in social and economic disparities and inequalities. Specifically, low-income communities often face diverse barriers to accessing renewable energy technologies. For example, while electric vehicles offer numerous benefits, such as reduced carbon emissions, the affordability of electric vehicles remains a significant barrier to widespread adoption among marginalized groups due to their high upfront purchase price. Indeed, data show that less than 4% of the UK's ultra-low-emission vehicles are owned by households in the lowest 20% income bracket, while more than 50% are owned by households in the highest 20% income bracket. In Los Angeles, the goal to achieve a reliable, 100% renewable power system for the city for all residents is modeled in this issue by Arent et al. They demonstrate that this is achievable through multiple pathways, with climate and health co-benefits for the whole city. Addressing disparities is crucial for promoting equitable solutions for sustainable urbanization in the long term. As cities continue to grow and face diverse environmental and societal challenges, the pursuit of sustainability becomes increasingly imperative. While renewable energy presents a promising path forward, ensuring that the supply of renewable energy is sustainable in the long term is crucial. By comprehensively considering the broader impacts of renewable energy development, encompassing environmental, social, governmental, and economic impacts, cities can evolve into more inclusive and resilient spaces for all inhabitants, including both humans and wildlife. To achieve real sustainability in cities, a pivotal question remains: how can we make energy-based solutions that tackle urban and environmental challenges more sustainable? At Cell Reports Sustainability, we welcome submissions that explore the various aspects of energy-based solutions to understand this critical question and pave the way toward a more sustainable and inclusive urban future. Integrated multimodel analysis reveals achievable pathways toward reliable, 100% renewable electricity for Los AngelesCochran et al.Cell Reports SustainabilityApril 26, 2024In BriefAlthough communities and businesses nationwide have announced ambitious plans to combat climate change with electricity from carbon-free or renewable energy sources, there has been no comprehensive analysis of the pathways needed to power the largest US cities using only clean energy. Cochran et al. present findings from the Los Angeles 100% Renewable Energy Study, using detailed models to explore the interplay of factors, including supply, demand, infrastructure, and operational practices, in reliably delivering electricity to more than 4 million residents. Full-Text PDF Open AccessReusing vehicle batteries can power rural China while contributing to multiple SDGsZhu et al.Cell Reports SustainabilityApril 3, 2024In BriefZhu et al. explore the synergy between reused vehicle batteries and distributed solar photovoltaic systems for rural electrification in China. Their study unveils the economic feasibility and resource-saving potential of this approach, aligning with multiple sustainable development goals. By highlighting the role of electricity pricing mechanisms, the findings advocate for a shift toward market-based strategies, offering promising pathways to sustainable development beyond subsidy-driven policies.