Check out our highlights from 5 – 8 December at COP28
C40 Co-Chair advocates for city engagement and climate finance at UN-Habitat Ministerial meeting
On day 7 at COP28, C40 Co-Chair Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr attended the UN-Habitat high-level meeting on urbanisation and climate change.
The meeting was a key moment to emphasise mayors’ calls to close the urban climate finance gap through financial system reform and greater integration with national government financing.
Watch Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s address:
Cities building a healthier world through the just transition
Emphasising climate justice, mayors, health experts, and youth climate leaders shone a light on the health impacts of ongoing fossil fuel use on day 7.
In conversation and engaging talks, the speakers – including the Mayor of Rotterdam, Ahmed Aboutaleb and the Mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell, among others – urged for greater global ambition to phase out fossil fuels and showcased city-led action that saves lives, creates good, green jobs, and ensures energy security.
Vanessa Nakate, a Ugandan climate activist, closed the session with a powerful message on fossil fuels:
Learn more about the green and just transition.
Ports of Singapore, LA and Long Beach unveil partnership strategy on green and digital shipping corridor
C40, alongside the Ports of Singapore, Los Angeles and Long Beach, proudly unveiled a new partnership strategy on a green and digital shipping corridor across the Pacific Ocean—a vital part of C40 and cities’ efforts to reduce emissions from shipping.
Shipping is powered almost entirely by fossil fuels, with the industry accounting for 2–3% of global carbon emissions. This figure could rise to 17% by 2050 if left unregulated.
As leading global hub ports, Singapore, Los Angeles and Long Beach are vital stops on the trans-Pacific shipping lane and key stakeholders in the maritime sector’s green transition.
Climate cooperation for a green and thriving urban future
On day 9 at COP28, mayors and urban climate practitioners from China and around the world gathered to showcase the economic and social benefits of creating green and thriving cities.
Co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and C40, the session provided an opportunity for participants to share experiences of embedding climate action within economic and social policy, helping foster dialogue and collaboration.
C40 Executive Director, Mark Watts, reflected on the event:
C40 and 800+ leaders call on COP negotiations to keep 1.5°C alive
As COP28 entered its second week, C40 joined more than 800 signatories from across business, finance, philanthropy, politics, academia, and civil society in calling on the COP28 President Dr Sultan Al Jaber and all parties at COP to negotiate a plan to keep 1.5°C within reach.
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