BRUSSELS, June 15 (UPI) -- The European Commission has set aside more than $24 million to help fund so-called green technology in urban centers to reduce carbon emissions.
Andris Piebalgs, the European energy commissioner, points to research conducted by the International Institute for Environment and Development that suggests urban centers pose less of an environmental risk than expected.
For example, Piebalgs notes on his Web site, per capita greenhouse gas emissions in Barcelona are half the national average while New York City emissions are less than 30 percent of the national average.
Europe has set up a Covenant of Mayors to take part in a pledge to reduce carbon dioxide emissions beyond EU quotas, with nearly 500 major cities from London to Paris taking part.
The European Commission set aside around $24.7 million to fund clean energy technologies ranging from more efficient street lighting to electric car programs, Piebalgs said.
With half of the population in the world living in urban centers, pushing green energy initiatives makes sense, the commissioner notes.
"If you want to do nature a favor, forget about living in the countryside," he said.
