Today C40 held its first-ever Latin American Mayors Forum, hosted by Buenos Aires Mayor Mauricio Macri and attended by more than 15 mayors and vice-mayors from the region. During the Forum, it was announced that 20 Latin American mayors have joined the Compact of Mayors, and 20 global C40 cities have committed to pursuing clean buses. These two major declarations signify the bold actions cities around the world are taking in the global fight against climate change.
Mayor Macri, Mexico City Mayor Miguel Ángel Mancera and former President of Mexico and Chair of the Global Commission on the Economy Felipe Calderón joined C40 Chair and Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes in announcing both the C40 City Clean Bus Declaration of Intent and a Latin American Cities Declaration on the Compact of Mayors, which is the world’s largest cooperative effort among mayors to fight global climate change and its effects.
“By taking these decisive steps here today, Latin American cities are leading the way in driving urban action that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks, while increasing the health, wellbeing and economic opportunities of urban citizens,” said C40 Chair and Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes. “Mayors, through networks such as the C40, are learning from each other, exchanging ideas and thereby accelerating local action on the ground. Today’s event is testament to this promising trend.”
Compact of Mayors
Latin American cities have enormous potential to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions – C40 research indicates that taken together they could cut emissions by 2,500 MtCO2 by 2030, or the equivalent of 526 million cars off the road. By joining the Compact of Mayors, Latin American cities are leading the way in building a low carbon, climate resilient future.
“Joining the Compact of Mayors is another important step forward for Latin American cities, because it will help them set clear climate goals, measure their progress, and share best practices with the rest of the world. With the U.N.’s Climate Change Conference in Paris just around the corner, cities around the region are providing leadership at a critical time,” said UN Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change and C40 Board President Michael R. Bloomberg.
Committed to Clean Buses
The C40 City Clean Bus Declaration of Intent, signed by global cities including Bogotá, London, and Seoul, was forged by the cities in the C40 Zero Emission Vehicle Network. It demonstrates a commitment by C40 cities to reducing emissions and improving air quality through the introduction of low- and zero-emission buses in their fleets. The Declaration is a call to global manufacturers, public transport operators, leasing companies, multilateral development banks and other funding agencies to support city ambitions to decarbonise urban mass transport.
To learn more about the Latin American Mayors Forum and these important announcements, please see the official press release in English, Spanish and Portuguese.