The Council of Capital City Lord Mayors (CCCLM) has been invited to the Seoul Mayors’ Forum on Climate Change being held on 23-25 October. CCCLM Chair, Lord Mayor Hobart Anna Reynolds will present on our support for the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM),
Participation in the Seoul conference will provide the opportunity to highlight Australian capital cities commitment to seek stronger climate action in Australia, as well as demonstrating the willingness of capital cities to work closely with ICLEI Oceania to support the GCoM alliance through a new partnership arrangement.
Australia’s capital cities have agreed to:
- Work together over the long term to accelerate practical climate action;
- Work with other levels of government to assist to meet – and where practical exceed – state and national emissions, renewables and adaptation targets;
- Advocate to the Australian Government to accelerate practical action, and assess raising the current national emissions reduction target;
- Mobilise business, community groups, schools, universities and NGOs in our communities, who share the sense of urgency; and
- Work with Mayors around the world via the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy to champion and advance climate action happening in cities.
Cities are responsible for more than 70 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, so reducing their footprint is absolutely vital. They are also in the front lines of the impacts of climate change. As António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations said last week, “Cities are critical, and they are largely where the battle will be won or lost.”
Lord Mayor of Hobart, Anna Reynolds said “Because of growing concern in our communities about climate change, Capital City Lord Mayors across Australia have joined together with a statement for stronger climate action from all levels of Government. We think that national emissions reductions can be accelerated and cities are a crucial partner in making that happen.”
“Australian cities have been at the forefront in delivering climate action for many years. Cities have implemented innovative policies and programs leading to reduction of emissions. We look forward to sharing out work with other Mayors both with other local governments in Australia and in our international region as we work together to tackle climate change”.
The CCCLM’s statement being declared at Seoul is available here: