[This is an EXCERPT: read the whole article here. -Ed.]

by Danny Bradbury

Chicago has announced a climate change action plan designed to reduce the city's carbon emissions to three quarters of 1990 levels by 2020.

The goal, which goes well beyond the requirements of the Kyoto protocol, has been praised as aggressive by environmental commentators.

The plan, which is part of a longer-term goal to cut carbon emissions to 80 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050, consists of 35 separate actions spanning five broad categories: building efficiency, clean and renewable energy, transportation, pollution and adaptation.

Goals set by the city for building efficiency include retrofitting industrial, commercial and residential buildings for energy efficiency, and the creation of 6,000 rooftop gardens – up from just 400 today.

Photo credit: sookie/416style