Local governments sign new declaration on climate action

Fifty mayors from 30 countries and more than 20 regional and global networks of local and subnational governments signed the Nantes Declaration of Mayors and Subnational Leaders on Climate Change today in the eastern French city, which is this year’s European Green Capital.

Adoption of the declaration marks the start of a new phase for the Local Government Climate Roadmap, an advocacy process aimed at recognising, engaging and empowering local governments within the global climate regime.

Polish Vice-Minister of the Environment, Beata Jaczewska, said that the declaration will play an important role in the upcoming Convention of the Parties (COP) conference, to be held in November 2013 in Warsaw. The Polish Presidency will convene the first ever ‘Cities Day’ that will bring together ministers and mayors during the high level segment on 21 November 2013.

Among the innovative features of the renewed Local Government Climate Roadmap is the creation of a ‘Friends of Cities’ group that brings together national governments who wish to collaborate with local and subnational governments. The roadmap aims to pave the way for the UN Paris Climate Conference in 2015.

Mayors from cities that have experienced devastation attributed to climate change spoke of the importance of taking action today. Mathew Appelbaum, Mayor of Boulder, Colorado, USA, spoke of the degradation of his city by extreme weather, and of the urgent need to turn words into action: “We recently experienced an incredible flood, in which a year’s worth of rain fell in four days. Events like the one that struck Boulder are becoming more common all around the globe. It is clear that cities are on the frontline –we are suffering the impacts of climate change. Because of that, we have to be leaders and mitigate and adapt in the face of climate change. I am delighted and proud to support the Nantes Declaration.”

Kgosientso Ramokgopa, Executive Mayor of Tshwane (Pretoria), South Africa, offered strong support, calling for a greater focus on the global south, as well as access to funding for much needed adaptation measures.

The audience, comprised of local government leaders, national government officials, and international organisation representatives, stood in applause upon the adoption. The adoption ceremony came on the second day of the World Mayors Summit on Climate Change, an event held under the patronage of François Hollande, President of the Republic of France and with the support of the French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault that brought local leaders together to discuss funding climate actions.

The Nantes Declaration was developed through a partnership with the Local Government Climate Roadmap and was facilitated by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.