The climate crisis is a fossil fuel crisis
Burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas, and oil is the root cause of the climate crisis and is therefore responsible for the overwhelming majority of the world’s carbon emissions and dangerous pollutants in our air.
Where national governments are starting to move, in cities, the shift is already happening. C40 mayors are already clean up local air, cut emissions and build community resilience quicker than national leaders.
C40 cities are reducing per capita emissions five times faster than the global average. Behind these numbers are real, tangible changes on the ground. Air pollution from fossil fuels causes over 121,000 preterm births and nearly 248,000 pediatric asthma emergency visits every year across C40 cities.
By choosing alternatives to fossil fuels, cities can avoid $3.9 trillion in health and economic losses while creating millions of good, green jobs.
What action looks like on the ground
Action on the ground takes many forms. In some cities, it means moving away from legacy coal plants and upskilling workers. In others, it means electrifying public transportation and expanding community solar power. Nonetheless, mayors around the world are demonstrating their commitment to a fairer, healthier future that protects the people and places we love.
Germany
Berlin set a global precedent by becoming the first official ‘divestment capital’. The city divested pension funds and investment assets in companies that produce or sell fossil fuels.
Mexico
Mexico City is rapidly expanding its solar energy by installing 787,000m² of solar panels across residential and commercial buildings under its Ciudad Solar initiative.
Spain
Barcelona established its own 100% renewable public power distributor, Barcelona Energia, and took part in a nationally-led Just Transition Agreement to protect local workers and economies.
United States
Los Angeles is shutting down municipal coal and gas power plants while setting up a Just Transition Taskforce to upskill fossil fuel workers for clean energy jobs. To secure reliable, zero-carbon power, the city built the largest solar and battery energy storage system in the country, generating enough clean electricity for over 283,000 homes.
Phillipines
Quezon City installed rooftop solar panels across 50 public schools, cutting emissions while ensuring schools have a reliable backup power during extreme weather events.
South Africa
Johannesburg installed solar mini-grids and clean cooking alternatives in informal settlements, delivering safe power to 12,000 homes.
City mayors are demonstrating that clean energy is not a distant ambition – it’s already in progress. By reducing pollution while creating jobs, improving health, and tackling inequality, mayors are making sure the transition benefits everyone.