Local Government has always been an early adopter and innovator in facing the challenges of climate change. Following the historic Paris Climate Agreement in 2015, cities and towns are again leading the way in responding to climate change.
The Compact of Mayors promotes local governments’ ambitious vision to become low-carbon through clean and affordable renewable energy while adapting to climate change, and building community resilience to future changes. Australian councils are invited to join now.
Launched in 2014 the Compact of Mayors already has 590 local governments representing 443 million people. From 2017 the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy will be the new name for the international initiative that merges the existing Compact of Mayors and the 7100 strong European-based Covenant of Mayors as the largest global coalition of cities, towns and regions committed to climate leadership.
“Local councils understand the challenges of climate change which have both local impacts and global consequences,” said Bernie Cotter, ICLEI Oceania Managing Director.
“Councils with community support may want to achieve tangible carbon reductions, see the investment opportunities of renewables or begin to create climate smart and resilient urban areas well ahead of current national efforts.”
The Compact of Mayors gives the opportunity to transparently and publically report on local actions and targets and provides a network to share approaches and learn using a vast resource of practical local action for reducing greenhouse gases and adapting to climate impacts.
“The Compact of Mayors is a terrific way for local councils to share their commitment about becoming low carbon and their plans to become climate resilient.
“Consistent assessment and measurement formats and transparency in reporting brings global benchmarking to community-wide efforts.
“Most critically, it sends a strong, clear and growing signal to national governments that local councils and communities are not only acting to reduce and manage the effects of climate change; they are leading and leading together,” said Mr Cotter.
In Australia 13 councils have already signed up to the Compact of Mayors with some being showcased for leadership in many measureable areas already.
ICLEI: Local Governments for Sustainability who assisted councils through the Cities for Climate Protection Program, is again able to support new councils with information, training and resources if they join now. Support funding has been provided to ICLEI Oceania through Bloomberg Philanthropies.
The Compact of Mayors is supported in partnership by ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability, C40 Climate Leadership Group, UCLG, UN Habitat, and Michael Bloomberg – UN Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change.
For more information:
oceania.iclei.org
*Copy supplied by ICLEI Local Government
for Sustainability
