31 March 2015
C40 Latin American Mayors Forum Demonstrate Local Climate Leadership
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The first-ever C40 Latin American Mayors Forum convened in order to provide: a platform for mayors across the region to demonstrate their leadership in tackling climate change; and an opportunity for mayors and city experts to share successful practices, engage with climate finance institutions and commit to the Compact of Mayors, a global initiative to accelerate local climate action.

c40_forum28 March 2015: The first-ever C40 Latin American Mayors Forum convened in order to provide a platform for mayors across the region to demonstrate their leadership in tackling climate change, and an opportunity for mayors and city experts to share successful practices, engage with climate finance institutions and commit to the Compact of Mayors, a global initiative to accelerate local climate action.

Mayors from over 40 Latin American cities attended the Forum, which met on 27 March 2015, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The event also brought together representatives from financial organizations, policymakers and others to seek regional commitments on climate action. Participating cities learned about technical assistance and funds available to cities aiming to develop climate action plans and increase urban resilience.

C40 research demonstrates that together Latin American cities have the potential to cut emissions by 2,500 MtCO2 by 2030, or the equivalent of taking 526 million cars off the road.

During the forum, a Latin American Cities Declaration on the Compact of Mayors was announced, with 20 Latin American mayors joining the Compact of Mayors. Felipe Calderón, Former Mexican President and Chair of the Global Commission on the Economy, stated that by signing the Compact of Majors, mayors are providing a concrete example for their national governments to follow in Paris at the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the UNFCCC. He said around 700 of the world’s largest cities could reduce emissions by up to 1.5 billion tonnes annually, through building better transport systems and avoiding urban sprawl.

In addition, mayors signed the C40 City Clean Bus Declaration of Intent, which: 20 C40 cities worldwide have signed; shows a commitment by C40 cities to reduce emissions and improve air quality through the introduction of low- and zero-emission buses; and calls on manufacturers, public transport operators and others to support cities’ efforts to “decarbonize urban mass transport.”

Mexico City Mayor Miguel Ángel Mancera said that clean mass transit systems in cities not only reduce emissions and improve air quality, but can greatly enhance “liveability, social inclusion and connecting people to economic opportunities.” Latin America already has many examples of successful bus rapid transit (BRT) systems, including in Buenos Aires and Bogota.

The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group is a network of cities committed to implement “climate-related actions locally that will help address climate change globally.” C40 was established in 2005 and expanded in 2006 through a partnership with President Bill Clinton’s Climate Initiative. Announced at the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Summit, the Compact of Mayors: is the largest effort among mayors and city officials to reduce emissions, track progress and address climate change impacts; and will help drive local climate actions, reaffirm existing targets and utilize a transparent public reporting of cities’ climate data. [Forum Website] [C40 Press Release] [Latin American Cities Declaration on the Compact of Mayors] [Compact of Mayors Website]

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