Tokyo named Asias greenest city

February 18, 2011

Tokyo was named the greenest city in the Asia-Pacific region. AFP/Relaxnews file picTOKYO, Feb 18 The Japanese capital of Tokyo has been named the greenest city in the Asia-Pacific region by specialist consulting firm Solidance.Solidance evaluated cities according to their CO2 emissions, energy usage, transportation facilities, air quality, water, waste treatment, green space and environmental governance. According to a statement by Solidance, the evaluation was carried out in response to their clients requests for information on green-tech opportunities in the region.Solidances findings correlate with the latest available data from the World Bank which shows that in 2009, 43 per cent of Japans urban population lived in Tokyo, yet emission levels were far below that of other high-income developed countries.The growing trend for greener cities stems in part from an increase in the worlds urban-to-rural population ratio. For example the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that by 2020 the ratio of urban to rural inhabitants in the Asia-Pacific region will approach four-to-one.This increased urban population is expected to put increasing strain on already limited resources and highlights the need to develop alternative power sources to match increased energy demand.In February, Vietnam became the latest country to develop greener urban areas, announcing the construction of a green-tech corridor outside of the city of Hanoi. The project is expected to be completed over the next 10-15 years, will include renewable energy-powered heating and cooling systems and rainwater collection points. When fully inhabited the area is expected to be home to around 20,000 people.The worlds cities are responsible for around 71 per cent for global greenhouse emissions according to a study released January 25 by the journal Environment and Urbanization. The same study also ! found th at Chinese cities were amongst the worst polluters and that in terms of gas emissions per GDP inhabitants of Tokyo were 5.6 times more efficient than Canadian citizens.The top ten cities in the Asia-Pacific region according to Solidances evaluation are:1. Tokyo, Japan
2. Seoul, South Korea
3. Melbourne, Australia
4. Singapore
5. Osaka, Japan
6. Sydney, Australia
7. Auckland, Australia
8. Busan, South Korea
9. Taipei, Taiwan
10. Hong Kong, China AFP/Relaxnews