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Schwarzenegger partners with cities on climate change action

05 May 2017

by Jonathan Andrews

C40 Cities and R20, two of the largest advocates for climate change action that represent cities, states and regions, have agreed to collaborate to implement the Paris Agreement.

C40, led by Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris, and R20, founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger, the former Governor of California, will collaborate to ensure that cities, states and regions can access finance to deliver sustainable infrastructure and climate friendly projects.

“Now more than ever, cities, states, regions and businesses need to come together to demonstrate their unity and commitment to tackle climate change,” Andrea Fernandez, C40 Director of Governance & Global Partnerships, told Cities Today. “C40’s Deadline 2020 research revealed just how important the next four years are to the future of the planet and both C40 and R20 recognise the urgency of action required.”

A key priority for the partnership will be to help foster the next generation of women climate leaders. C40’s Women4Climate initiative will include a mentorship scheme benefitting women leaders in cities around the world. R20 recently launched a green-fund for women to provide financial support for the actions of companies, start-ups and green SMEs run by women around the world. Such complementary projects will be part of the collaboration between C40 and R20.

Fernandez added that as R20 leads the secretariat of the Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance (CCFLA), this will help mobilise investment into low-carbon and climate-resilient infrastructure in cities and urban areas.

“It is no longer certain that nations will live up to the commitments they made in the Paris Agreement,” said Arnold Schwarzenegger, Founding Chair of R20. “Fortunately states, regions cities and the private sector are stepping up to provide the leadership the world needs. Thanks to powerful mayors like Anne Hidalgo in Paris, we will get the job done.”

To further help cities deal with the consequences of climate change, a new climate adaptation academy opened in Rotterdam this week. Launched by C40, city officials and urban planners from more than 60 cities around the world will be provided with training programmes and technical support in climate change adaptation and building resilience. The academy’s first delegation, from Dubai, will participate in the inaugural adaptation master class.

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