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ICLEI, Global Covenant of Mayors, and C40 announce One Planet Charter to Accelerate Local Implementation of the Paris Agreement

12 December 2017 00:00 - Paris, France

Global city networks join together to launch new campaign to drive sustainable infrastructure, giving cities momentum to reach ambitious climate goals.

Today, at the One Planet Summit in Paris, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy announced the One Planet Charter to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement in cities and local governments across the world.

The One Planet Charter – announced on the two-year anniversary of ratifying the Paris Agreement – signifies a new commitment campaign by the world‘s global city networks to help local governments swiftly implement actions to ensure Paris Agreement goals are met.

Through the One Planet Charter, cities will commit to specific climate action that drives investments, sustainable public procurement, and policy decisions in renewable energy, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, and efforts for zero emission buildings and zero waste. The Charter highlights cities’ commitment to increase demand for sustainable and resilient infrastructure, products and services, while also recognizing the importance of working closely with national governments and business sectors to mobilise global climate action.

The Charter builds upon the achievements of the 23rd UN Climate Change Conference (COP23), in particular the Bonn-Fiji Commitment of Local and Regional Governments to Deliver the Paris Agreement At All Levels, as well as city networks’ successful procurement and sectoral initiatives efforts already underway through ICLEI’s Global Lead City Network on Sustainable Procurement, Sustainable Procurement Initiative and 100% Renewable Energy Cities & Regions Campaign, as well as C40 Cities’ Fossil Fuel Free Streets. Furthermore, the One Planet Summit will build on the commitments made by over 50 mayors to the Chicago Climate Charterat the North American Climate Summit in Chicago earlier this month.

Cities will bring detailed commitments to the 2018 Global Action Summit in California.

“The One Planet Charter demonstrates that when cities and local leaders embrace the opportunities that come with transitioning to a low-carbon world, both their constituents and their local economies benefit,” said Christiana Figueres, Vice-Chair of the Global Covenant of Mayors. “This Charter furthers the critical work cities committed to the Global Covenant of Mayors and the world’s global city networks are doing to further their momentum toward meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement.”

“C40’s Deadline 2020 research revealed precisely what needs to be delivered by the cities of more than 100,000 citizens around the world, to deliver on the ambition of the Paris Agreement,“ said Paris Mayor, C40 Chair and Global Covenant of Mayors Board member Anne Hidalgo. “The decisions being made by mayors right now on investments for sustainable and resilient infrastructure will determine the future of generations to come. The One Planet Charter will make it easier to build the argument for bold climate action and investment in these crucial months and years ahead.”

“I am happy to see that the outcomes announced today will support the implementation of the Bonn-Fiji Commitment of Local and Regional Governments to Deliver the Paris Agreement at All Levels adopted at 23rd UN Climate Change Conference (COP23) in Bonn, Germany on 12 November 2018,” said Seoul Mayor, ICLEI President, Global Covenant of Mayors Board Member and Chair of the Global Lead City Network on Sustainable Procurement Park Won Soon. “I encourage all Mayors to join this commitment campaign to mobilize the huge demand-side power of cities, and drive the market for sustainable infrastructure, products and services worldwide to accelerate climate action through ambitious GHG reduction targets and robust adaptation strategies.”

English

2017