Catch up on the day’s highlights from the C40 World Mayors Summit in Buenos Aires
Record investment in C40 cities in the Global South projected to access over $1 billion to tackle the climate emergency
As the C40 World Mayors Summit draws to a close and global leaders are getting ready for the 27th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP27), C40 have announced unprecedented investment for climate projects for its cities in the Global South.
The investments and partnerships announced today illustrate the strength of cross-sectoral collaborations in moving money away from fossil fuels and into a green and just recovery for cities. Scaling initiatives and investments like these at a global level would have the multiplier effect that is needed to deliver the finance needed for cities to do their fair share to limit global heating to 1.5°C by 2030.
C40 Executive Director Mark Watts said: “It’s fantastic news that, thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we are able to announce record investment in climate projects spearheaded by C40 cities in the Global South. C40 mayors are ready to deliver action on the ground that cuts emissions and builds resilience in cities, and we’re extremely grateful to our supporters from the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the French Development Agency and others for their continued investment in inclusive, equitable and sustainable communities. Now we need a step change in private finance. As United Nations figures show, the annual investment we need to deliver on the Paris Agreement is less than what is currently being invested in fossil fuels. It’s time to invest in a cleaner, fairer future for all.”
Youth climate leaders and mayors unite to launch first-ever global network of city-youth climate councils
Climate advocates and city officials met today, for the largest-ever C40 Global Youth and Mayors Forum. Participants included 30 international youth leaders, 30 youth leaders from Argentina and 10 mayors from across five continents.
At the event, Claudia Lopez, Mayor of Bogotá and C40 Vice Chair for Youth Engagement, announced plans for a new global network of city-youth climate councils to facilitate the political empowerment and engagement of young climate leaders in local decision-making to transform the world’s cities into green and fair metropolises.
Mayors and youth leaders pledge to be united in action to deliver green jobs, following the announcement that C40 mayors will drive the creation of 50 million green jobs by 2030.
Schools and Students Reinventing Cities for the future
Today, C40 launched the latest edition of Students Reinventing Cities, a design challenge for university students to develop transformative climate solutions aligned with the 15-minute city concept for neighbourhoods identified by their cities, including Amman, Barcelona, Chengdu, Durban, Freetown, Lisbon, Melbourne, Milan, Montréal, New Orleans, Rome, São Paulo, and Zhenjiang.
Together with Minecraft, C40 also announced plans to launch Schools Reinventing Cities, a new challenge for primary, middle and high school students, in early 2023.
Pope Francis addresses C40 Summit in closing session
In a letter read by Fernando Straface, Secretary General of the City of Buenos Aires, Pope Francis addressed C40 mayors and delegates at the C40 Summit.
Pope Francis commended mayors for their climate leadership and highlighted the urgent need for climate action. He said: “As leaders, we cannot afford to contribute more to existent environmental contamination.”