Tag: C40 Voices

Cities are where the battle to prevent climate change will be won or lost. Indeed, the pattern of development followed by a small number of leading cities will likely determine whether or not it is possible to constrain average temperature rise to the IPCC target of 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

Compact and connected development is the preferred form of urban growth. This is a key finding of a major new report released by a commission of global leaders. The New Climate Economy (NCE) report, titled ‘Better Growth, Better Climate’, by the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, argues that lasting economic growth is possible alongside fighting climate change, but only if urban growth is better managed and investments in mass transit systems are prioritised.

Sharing good practice in city green funds is one areas of focus for C40’s Sustainable Infrastructure Finance Network.  Following webinars featuring the cities of Amsterdam, London and New York, the Network recently hosted Julia Langer, Chief Executive of Toronto Atmospheric Fund (TAF). Julia presented the Fund’s fascinating work of using a small endowment to create, demonstrate and de-risk new financial products and financing strategies in order to mobilize private capital for sustainable infrastructure, and help Toronto achieve its ambitious emission reduction targets.

For nearly two years, more than 20 C40 cities around the world have been working together on low emission vehicle technology solutions for vehicle fleets. In a shift reflecting the broadening array of technologies available to deliver these solutions, we are expanding our Electric Vehicle (EV) Network to incorporate other types of low emission vehicles.

I was recently part of a C40 delegation participating in Abu Dhabi Ascent, a high-level UN meeting, which brought together more than 1,000 participants, including 70 government ministers to prepare for the Climate Summit to be held on 23 September in New York.