A round-up of C40’s highlights, key announcements and mayors’ global climate leadership
This week at the UN Climate Ambition Summit (UNCAS) and New York City Climate Week, mayors reinforced their commitment to accelerated action for a fossil-free future on the global stage.
On the road to COP28, mayors are leading the way to a future powered by clean energy, taking high-impact action and putting people at the heart of the transition.
Mayors lead the way to a fossil-free future and deliver on good, green jobs
New data from C40 revealed that investment in urban climate action is paying off. Over 14 million green jobs have been created in 53 C40 cities alone. C40 Chair and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “The evidence is clear: our cities are engines of progress, generating more than 14 million green jobs and cutting fossil fuel consumption by half within a decade. Now we need national governments to step up too and deliver on the promises they have made to tackle the climate crisis.”
Mayors highlighted cities’ leadership to the world’s media in the press briefing, ‘Empowering All: Cities Pioneering the Just Energy Transition’, showing how cities are leading in action and are standing ready to work with national and international counterparts to raise climate ambition and impact.
Cities share action on #GreenJobsNow
As C40, mayors, and global leaders gathered in New York City, cities worldwide shared their inspiring stories. They are at the forefront of a green and just transition, transforming communities and creating millions of good, green jobs.
Get inspired by highlights from cities like Amman, London, Cape Town, Quezon City, and more.
C40 and The Climate Pledge launch Laneshift to decarbonise freight trucks
C40 and The Climate Pledge have collaborated to launch Laneshift, a new partnership to address carbon emissions from freight trucks. The Climate Pledge is making a US$10 million investment in major cities in India and Latin America to accelerate the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and the adoption of electric trucks. The partnership has three key objectives: reducing pollution and improving air quality, creating green job opportunities, and facilitating the transition of workers in the road freight sector toward greener, more sustainable solutions.
“To meet net-zero emission targets, we need to urgently electrify truck fleets. Laneshift will help to lay the groundwork for the adoption of EV vehicles in India and Latin America by decarbonising freight in cities, resulting in cleaner air and good, green jobs even beyond city borders,” said Mark Watts, Executive Director at C40 Cities.
First COP-hosted Local Climate Action Summit announced
COP28 President-designate Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber and President of the C40 Board, UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for Climate Ambition and Solutions, Michael R. Bloomberg, announced the COP28 Local Climate Action Summit – the first time a COP Presidency has announced a formal summit designed to bring subnational leaders into the COP program and process. Hosted by the COP28 Presidency and Bloomberg Philanthropies on 1–2 December, 2023 in Dubai, the COP28 Local Climate Action Summit will aim to bring together hundreds of subnational climate leaders.
C40 Vice Chair, Global Ambassador of the Global Covenant of Mayors and Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, said: “As local leaders, we stand at the forefront of change, ready to drive transformation. The Local Climate Action Summit will bring together thousands of leaders spanning government tiers, illuminating a clear pathway for subnational governments to propel global climate ambition. Together, we can turn our Paris ambitions into action, building a more sustainable and resilient world for all to thrive.”
On the road to COP28
C40 Executive Director Mark Watts shared a message reflecting on UNCAS and NYC Climate Week, highlighting the urgent need for climate action, the consequences of rising greenhouse gas emissions, and cities’ ambitions as we prepare for COP28.
Listen to Mark’s message below: