City-Level Decoupling-Case Studies

Challenges

Progress towards the Green Vision goals can be attributed to the ability of each department to prove that their programmes contributed materially to the results that the city desired. 172 However, financing has been difficult and the city has had to leverage outside resources and create strategic partnerships to supplement internal funding. 173 This will have to continue and be even more effective if the Green Vision goals are to be reached by 2022. Some critics have suggested teaming up with other cities to ensure uniform standards across Silicon Valley for greatest effect and least disruption to the business community. 174 Others wonder if it is wise to invest so much in emerging industries that are likely to consolidate as they mature. 175 There is also uncertainty as to who will be responsible for reaching the goals when Chuck Reed’s second term as mayor ends in 2014. 176

Conclusion

Though ambitious, San Jose’s Green Vision has a good chance of success due to the city’s location in Silicon Valley, its history of innovation and its citizens' willingness to try new things. If external funding can be found, and certainty reached on who will see the project through its remaining years, achieving the ten goals is possible. Progress to date is already establishing the city as a world leader in both clean technology and urban sustainability.

21. Singapore: doing more with less water

By Stefanie Swanepoel

The island-state of Singapore has undergone one of history’s fastest transitions from a developing economy to a leading first world economy. It has one of the highest per capita incomes in Asia and its population is slowly increasing to close to five million people. 177 However, Singapore has a finite amount of land, limited water resources and a growing population dependent on imported energy, food and water; and all of this in the face of climate change challenges. The country is dependent on global trade for access to the resources that it needs for economic growth, and the rising cost of resources such as oil, energy, raw materials and water will increasingly place pressure on Singapore’s ability to maintain its economic growth. Currently Singapore imports most of its food and water as well as the resources and raw materials needed for industry, including construction materials and oil. 178 In addition, it is vulnerable to climate change impacts such as flooding, loss of coastal land and changes in fresh water resources. 179 The city has acknowledged the importance of securing access to resources, conserving energy and reducing water use, in other words, doing more with less to decouple the future growth of the city from increased resource use. In 2009, Singapore released Sustainable Singapore Blueprint, a plan that would allow for economic growth within the limitations posed by resource scarcity and rising resource prices. It rests on four primary principles: those of improved resource efficiency, improved environmental quality, increased

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