Tag: Connecting Delta Cities

A joint op-ed by the Mayor of Amman and Secretary General of Dubai's Executive Council

2016 was a momentous year for action on climate change. More than 120 countries, including Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, ratified the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius. As the Mayor of Amman and the Secretary General of Dubai’s Executive Council, representing the most populous cities in our two countries, we understand the magnitude of this commitment by our national governments, and are ready to help turn the aspiration of the Paris Agreement into action on the ground.

Yesterday, C40 and the Singapore National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) held an event at the World Cities Summit (WCS) 2016, a global platform for government leaders and industry experts to address liveable and sustainable city challenges and forge new partnerships. “From Ambition to Action: The Vital Role of Cities in Achieving the Paris Agreement” drew together C40 mayors and city experts from around the world to share insights on the actions they are taking – on mitigation, adaptation and increasing resilience – as well as the key challenges they face in doing so.

In May, 18 C40 cities from around the world gathered in Rotterdam at the Adaptation Futures Conference, the largest adaptation conference of its kind. Over 1,700 city experts, policymakers, scholars and business people from over 100 countries gathered to connect, learn and inspire one another on adaptation practices and solutions. The topics of climate risk and adaptation couldn’t be more timely: C40 research shows that 70% of C40 cities are already experiencing the effects of climate change. Adaptation Futures showcased the efforts of C40 cities all over the world, including Accra, Copenhagen, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, London, Melbourne, New Orleans, New York, Rio, Rotterdam and Washington DC. 

As cities around the world look for ways to implement the Paris Declaration and meet the ambition of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21), C40 is showcasing 100 real world examples of projects and approaches that have already proved successful in our member cities.