Santiago Zero Carbon
Are you aware of how much you pollute in your city?
Did you know that by 2025, Chile will reach its peak pollution level? As a country, we are committed to reducing our emissions and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, according to Chile's Long-Term Climate Change Strategy. This commitment means that Santiago—which accounts for 20% of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions—must reduce 20.6 million tons of CO2 annually, while increasing its adaptability and resilience to climate change.
"Santiago Zero Carbon: Technology-Driven Climate Solutions" is an initiative in partnership with Google aimed at accelerating Chile’s commitment to decontamination and carbon neutrality. It showcases climate solutions powered by technology and artificial intelligence.
During Mobility Week and National Car-Free Day (September 27, 2024), a public space transformation in Santiago demonstrated how technology and urban tactics can help achieve zero-carbon cities.
Key Initiatives:
New Pedestrian Crossings: Two crossings at Agustinas and Bandera streets were unveiled as part of the pedestrianization of Agustinas Street, stretching from Teatinos to Estado, under the Mobility Walkway initiative. These crossings were painted with an additive that degrades suspended materials, applied across 110m², equivalent to reducing 30 tons of CO2—comparable to planting 220 mature trees. The eco-friendly additive, made from expanded polystyrene waste and photocatalytic nanoparticles, converts CO2 and fine particulate matter into harmless compounds.
Upgraded Street Furniture: Bandera Walkway furniture was revamped with new wooden panels, planters, and a photocatalytic coating, benefiting over 88,000 daily pedestrians.
Technological Education: Panels on technologies such as Google Environmental Insights, Google Maps, Google FloodHub, and Travel Better were displayed to educate the public about transportation’s environmental impact on health and the planet. These tools use AI to predict floods, alert against wildfire risks during heatwaves, and help cities adapt to climate change.
Urban Tactical Tools: Participatory urban planning exercises, like the "idea tree," were held at the intersection of Matías Cousiño Street.
Coming Soon:
Santiago Zero Carbon Hackathon (March 2025): This event will aim to develop AI-driven climate solutions to help decontaminate cities like Santiago. Organized with Ciudad Emergente and Google, it will bring together student teams in related fields, who will receive mentorship from Google staff, developers, and innovators from around the world to refine and implement their ideas.
Social Media Campaign:
The Santiago Zero Carbon campaign featured the story of Hook, a South American gray fox (culpeo) who ventures into the city and encounters Santiago's pollution. Hook journeys through the city, asking its inhabitants about fossil fuels, their mobility footprint, and what they would be willing to do to achieve a zero-carbon city.