Meet C40 Chair, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan became C40 Chair in December 2021. In a keynote speech given during COP26 in Glasgow, Mayor Khan committed to align C40’s budget and staffing behind efforts to tackle air pollution worldwide and support emissions reduction strategies – particularly in Global South cities on the frontline of the climate crisis, putting social justice at the heart of his vision for C40 cities.
Together we can and we must utilise the power of cities across the globe and continue to lead the charge when it comes to tackling the climate crisis, taking the necessary action now – not in 10, 20 or 30 years time – but now.
– Mayor of London and C40 Chair Sadiq Khan at COP26
During his tenure as Chair, Mayor Khan has pledged to:
- Channel two thirds of C40’s budget to support climate action and green recovery efforts in Global South cities experiencing the worst impacts of the climate crisis.
- Expand C40’s Global Green New Deal programme, funded by the Open Society Foundations, which will direct additional funding to increase the number of cities working in partnership with trade unions, young people and community organisations to ensure climate action benefits everyone.
- Lead a worldwide rollout of air quality measures by expanding Breathe Global, based on his flagship air quality monitoring programme Breathe London, to C40’s almost 100 member cities as well as targeted, high-level support for seven megacities where air pollution is highest to bring down pollution levels.
Mayor Khan believes cities have a pivotal role to play in achieving a green and just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. He told delegates at COP26: “Our cities can harness the ingenuity of the human spirit to help conquer the threat of global warming. In doing so, we’ll be able to fashion a new world after the pandemic that has as its guiding principles equality, fairness and climate justice.”
More about Mayor Khan
Sadiq Khan was elected for a second term as Mayor of London in May 2021. He was previously an MP for Tooting, South London, for 11 years and served as Shadow Secretary of State for Justice from May 2010 and Shadow Minister for London from 2013. The Mayor has served as a Vice Chair of C40 Cities since 2016, helping lead the group in committing to new targets that make cities greener.
Mayor Khan was one of the first leaders in the world to declare a climate emergency and he is championing a green and sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic from London’s City Hall. Reflecting the principles of a Global Green New Deal, the Mayor also introduced a Green New Deal for London to combat the climate and ecological emergencies and improve air quality, boost London’s economy and tackle inequality.
Mayor Khan introduced the world’s first Ultra Low Emission Zone, which has helped cut toxic roadside nitrogen dioxide pollution by nearly half in central London at the same time as helping to reduce carbon emissions. The Mayor has also: planted 350,000 trees since 2016; introduced over 500 electric buses; committed to making London a net zero carbon city by 2030, faster than any comparable city; and developed a climate action plan that is compatible with the highest ambition of the Paris Agreement.
About the C40 Chair
As the elected leader of the C40 organisation, the Chair plays a key role in raising the bar on climate ambition around the world and advocating for the role of cities in addressing the climate crisis.
This rotating position has been held to date by the following C40 mayors:
- London Mayor Sadiq Khan (2021–present)
- Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (2019–2021)
- Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo (2016–2019)
- Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes (2013–2016)
- New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg (2010–2013)
- Toronto Mayor David Miller (2008–2010)
- London Mayor Ken Livingstone (2005–2008)