In San Francisco, united mayors from around the world step up climate action

Local governments around the world are already taking ambitious action to make the Paris Agreement a reality. By 2030, we know that nearly every home built, every power plant brought online will need to be powered by clean energy. The Global Climate Action Summit was the opportunity to demonstrate to the world that cities and regions are at the forefront of working towards a climate safe, healthy, prosperous world for all.

The intensified role played by international networks of cities has proven to be very effective to increase the impact at local level, demonstrate the potential of actions taken by local elected leaders, and report on climate action at global level. 

In a video message, former US President Barack Obama addressed the audience: "Mayors are leading the way. Continue spread action!"

Throughout the Summit, UCLG together with its members and partners of the Global Taskforce, C40, the Global Covenant of Mayors and ICLEI, have continuously shown the greater impact that policies taken at city level are creating, particularly in infrastructure, transport, waste reduction and decarbonized economy.

Commitments from mayors in all sectors

The local and regional governments delegation was strongly represented and held the local flag high in the fight against climate change.

“We are here to share and expand the commitments of no-state actors to step up our ambition leading to robust climate actions. We are showing to the world how to climate policies reduce inequalities in our territories. Think locally and act globally, it is time to act”
Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris and UCLG Co-President

“Access to international financial depends too much on national context. We have to go further in redesigning the international financial architecture. Private sector needs to understand that investing in climate is also profitable”. 
Mauricio Rodas, Mayor of Quito and UCLG Co-President

“Climate goes through development and development goes through intermediary cities. Climate is not only about big cities, but first and foremost about the citizens and small and intermediary towns.”
Mohamed Sefiani, Mayor of Chefchaouen and Chair of UCLG Forum on Intermediary Cities

“Planning and investing in a bicycle system is crucial and key to making our cities more walkable and therefore more sustainable and healthier”
Juan Espadas Cejas, Mayor of Sevilla and CEMR Spokesperon on climate and energy

From the Global Climate Action Summit to the One Planet Charter: stepping up towards COP24 and beyond

The One Planet Charter is a broad umbrella, which aims to capture all quantified, clear and measurable targets, commitments and ambitions that a city has reported. That corresponds to one of the five pillars of the One Planet Charter, which are urban mobility, renewable energy, low carbon building, solid waste and resilience. Many local governments are already taking action in these sectors – and these targets have been reported through our partner reporting platforms, particularly through the Global Covenant of Mayors. 

In the coming months, UCLG will continue defend and bolster climate action with its sister network organisations towards the COP24 to be held in Katowice, Poland and within the Local Governments Roadmap.