This paper examines carbon ‘lock-in’ risks from an urban planning perspective, comparing two scenarios of urban development over the next 15 years to gauge the emissions implications of different choices.

New and continued efforts are needed to strengthen and extend the ambition of current national pledges to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to close the gap between the current global emissions pathway and a trajectory consistent with a 2°C target.

This discussion brief synthesizes key issues being explored by an ongoing Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) project on fossil-fuel infrastructure investments around the world.