Mayors Endorse Global Green Deal
Mayors of 94 cities across the globe—members of C40 Cities—announced their support for a Global Green New Deal to “drive an urgent fundamental and irreversible transfer of global resources away from fossil fuels and into action that averts the climate emergency.”
The mayors made commitments to the Global Green New Deal (GGND), which recognizes a climate emergency, at the 2019 C40 World Mayors Summit in Copenhagen Oct. 9-12, attended by 80 mayors and hundreds of environmental activists. The goal is to cut emissions from the transportation, buildings, industry and waste sectors to keep global heating below the 1.5° C goal of the Paris Agreement, while beefing up the economy.
“When it comes to climate action, no one is doing more than cities, but no one is doing enough,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) in a statement. Garcetti is the newly elected C40 chair.
According to C40, figures recently released indicate that 30 cities have peaked emissions and are progressing toward net-zero emissions. And more than 100 cities expect to deliver action plans to keep temperature rise to 1.5° C. “C40 cities are already cutting emissions at a rate consistent with the limits determined by science,” says C40. This translates to peaking emissions by 2020 and halving them by 2030.
The GGND calls for pledges to place climate action at the hub of all urban decisions, while protecting livelihoods, helping to end poverty, improving lives, building more equitable societies and “securing a just transition” for workers in high-carbon industries. It also includes a standing invitation to political leaders, CEOs, trade unions, investors and communities to sign on.
In a statement, Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said he supports the GGND because it aligns with his aspiration for Milan to grow based on a development model of sustainability and inclusion.
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