Mayors Announce Support For Global Green New Deal; Recognize Global Climate Emergency

Newly elected C40 Chair, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, alongside the mayors of cities worldwide including Copenhagen, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Sydney and Tokyo, announced their support for a Global Green New Deal and recognized a global climate emergency.  

The broad coalition - including youth climate activists, and representatives from labour, business and civil society - announced their support for the Global Green New Deal vision as mayors of the world's largest cities warned that the planet is in a state of climate emergency. The message was issued by city leaders attending the C40 World Mayors Summit in Copenhagen. Their call came in response to intergovernmental action being blocked by a minority of very powerful, science-denying governments, representing the interests of the fossil-fuel industry. 

Through the Global Green New Deal, cities have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting our environment, strengthening our economy, and building a more equitable future by cutting emissions from the sectors most responsible for the climate crisis -- transportation, buildings, industry, and waste -- to keep global heating below the 1.5 °C goal of the Paris Agreement. 

This includes putting inclusive climate action at the center of all urban decision-making to secure a just transition for those working in high-carbon industries and correct long-running environmental injustices for those disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis - people living in the global south generally, and the poorest communities everywhere.

Avoiding the worst impacts of the climate crisis means cutting global emissions in half by 2030. In practical terms that means improving mobility while replacing polluting fossil fuel powered vehicles with clean alternatives; setting the strictest possible building codes and reducing waste, amongst other actions. Policies already being delivered in cities around the world, thanks to the commitment of mayors to the C40 Net Zero Carbon Buildings, Advancing Towards Zero Waste, and Green & Healthy Streets Declarations. 

Keeping temperature rise to within the limits deemed safe by the overwhelming scientific evidence means not only cutting emissions, but also reducing the carbon already released into our planet's atmosphere. Even standing still isn't good enough.

The Global Green New Deal was immediately endorsed by those also committed to the level of action determined by science - including business leaders, investors, the labour movement, civil society, indigenous groups, informal settlement representatives and groups disproportionately impacted by climate change and poverty. Mayors Garcetti, Hidalgo and Jensen issued a clear challenge to national leaders, CEO's and investors that haven't yet matched the level of ambition detailed in the Global Green New Deal. 

C40 World Mayors Summit | https://c40summit2019.org