THE IMPACT OF LOW-CARBON DEVELOPMENT ON MUNICIPAL UTILITIES (SYSTEMIC APPROACH)

Abstract

Due to the growing awareness of climate change and the serious threats it poses to the planet, more and more attention is being paid to the transition to low-carbon development in all spheres of human activity. Municipal management is an important industry that directly affects the environmental condition of cities and towns, as well as energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Despite various measures and initiatives to improve the state of public utilities, there are serious problems that make it difficult to effectively transition to low-carbon development. High levels of pollution: Utilities such as thermal power plants, waste treatment plants, and water supply systems continue to use large amounts of hydrocarbon fuels and technologies that result in significant emissions of greenhouse gases and other harmful substances. Also, many cities lack the necessary infrastructure and technologies for efficient waste collection and processing, efficient energy saving, and the use of renewable energy sources. Regarding the provision of adequate financing, most municipalities face limited financial resources, which makes it difficult to implement the latest environmental technologies and programs. Lack of community awareness and involvement is also an important factor. Many residents of cities and towns do not have sufficient awareness of the importance of low-carbon development and its positive impact on the environment, which makes it difficult to make environmentally-oriented decisions and implement changes in consumer behavior. In light of these problems, there is a need to create and implement complex strategies and measures to optimize the activities of the utility industry, aimed at increasing efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, developing renewable energy, modernizing infrastructure, and involving the public in active participation in environmental programs and projects. However, it should be taken into account that each city or village has its own characteristics and requirements, therefore the optimization of communal services should be carried out individually, taking into account the specifics of the local situation. Keywords: utilities, systems approach, low-carbon development, sustainable development, systems analysis.