The Mayor of Edmonton, Don Iveson, is asking global mayors to join the Edmonton Declaration that will commit them to urgent evidence-based action on climate change. It’s a bold call-to-action for cities of all sizes to seriously consider the role of scientific research and data in building ambitious climate action plans and prioritize science-based decision-making that reinforces the targets in the Paris Agreement.
The Edmonton Declaration was drafted in partnership with the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. It’s a result of the “Change for Climate” Global Mayors Summit that was held on March 4. The Summit, hosted by the City of Edmonton, the Global Covenant and FCM, convened mayors from Canada, Ecuador, United States and India, key members from the science community and the world’s major city networks – C40, ICLEI and UCLG – to discuss the critical role cities and local governments play in addressing climate change.
The intent is to bring the Edmonton Declaration to national and international gatherings of mayors, ultimately culminating at the ICLEI World Congress in Montreal this June where global mayors will be asked to sign on.
Along with the Edmonton Declaration, mayors and city networks will have an opportunity to contribute to a global research agenda on cites and climate change science coming out of the first-of-its kind CitiesIPCC conference that was held in Edmonton March 5-7, 2018.
You’ll find the Edmonton Declaration here.
Quotes:
“We know this is ambitious, but that’s the type of leadership we need right now. While nations plan, cities take action. It’s time for cities to take the mantle of climate leadership, and employ the solutions that will provide a sustainable future for the generations to come.” said Mayor Don Iveson.
“It is scientific consensus that currently existing national climate plans are inadequate to achieve the 1.5°C goal, but rather put us on a 3-4°C global warming pathway. Together, the Edmonton Declaration and accompanying research and innovation agenda signify the resolve that city leaders have to step up their climate ambition and identify and address the knowledge gaps that they face as policy-makers.” said Global Covenant Executive Director Amanda Eichel.
“Science gave us the wake-up call needed to get the Paris Agreement done. Now we must harness its potential for innovation to address the very present challenges that cities face in making the low-carbon transition happen. City leaders are already taking important steps in this direction, and we are calling on the scientific community to work with us to bridge gaps and identify evidence-based solutions for the present and the future of our communities. ICLEI commits to support and advance the Edmonton Declaration by introducing it to its network of over 1500 cities as well as mobilizing engagement of partners that will gather at the ICLEI World Congress in Montreal this June” said Gino Van Begin, ICLEI Secretary General.