- The awards recognise leadership in urban climate action
- Finalists include 20 city projects leading the path for a greener future
- Winners will be announced on 19 October at the C40 World Mayors Summit in Buenos Aires
Today, C40 Cities and Bloomberg Philanthropies announced 20 city finalists for the 2022 C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards. The awards celebrate the most ambitious and impactful projects spearheaded by mayors from around the world to tackle the global climate crisis.
The awards focus on five categories that align with this year’s theme, United in Action:
- United to accelerate immediate action in critical sectors
- United to clean the air we breathe
- United in building climate resilience
- United to innovate
- United in building a climate movement
The 20 finalists, two thirds of which are based in the Global South, illustrate what leadership looks like in building an innovative, resilient, and inclusive future. The winners, which will be announced in October at the C40 World Mayors Summit in Buenos Aires, will have demonstrated ambitious climate action while ensuring better, longer lives for a great number of people.
“Congratulations to all of the C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards finalists on your bold and innovative project submissions,” said Sadiq Khan, Chair of C40 Cities and the Mayor of London. “Cities, local leaders and mayors are leading the way when it comes to tackling the climate emergency and by harnessing their ambition and vision, we can help cities around the world become greener, fairer and more sustainable.”
“Innovative solutions to climate change are coming from bold and pragmatic mayors across the world, and it’s important to celebrate their successes,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, C40 Board President, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Ambition and Solutions, and Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies. “This year’s finalists are leading from the front, and if more public officials – at all levels – emulate their approach, we can improve public health, create jobs, and win the fight against climate change.”
“The C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards celebrate a diverse set of local actions that are making a strong impact on the world around us,” said C40 Executive Director Mark Watts. “This year’s finalists are helping to advance inclusive climate actions that benefit all city residents equitably. Six of the shortlisted projects are based in Latin America, underscoring the region’s incredible climate leadership that will be on further display later this year at the C40 World Mayors Summit.”
Seventy cities from around the world applied to compete in this year’s prestigious awards. To select finalists, Nordic Sustainability assessed applications against six criteria: immediate climate impact, expected climate impact, wider benefits, innovation, collaboration, as well as sharing and scaling. Climate experts from C40 and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy then assessed a shortlist of candidates and selected the finalists, which will now be reviewed by an esteemed jury.
“On behalf of the jury, I am pleased to congratulate this year’s C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards finalists on their climate achievements and leadership,” said Jennifer Musisi, lawyer, public administrator, City Leader in Residence at Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, and C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards juror. “It is inspiring to see so many cities making smart investments in climate action and we look forward to selecting the winners. The jury applauds C40 and Bloomberg Philanthropies for acknowledging climate leadership that will encourage decision-makers around the world to take actions to address the climate crisis.”
The awards celebrate cities’ pioneering projects, recognising leading mayors, providing an opportunity for further engagement with local communities, and encouraging friendly competition between cities keen to demonstrate their successful climate actions and raising global ambition. Seven prior editions of the awards programme have showcased some of the world’s most ambitious climate projects, celebrating leading cities and sharing highly replicable best practices.