The C40 Global Mayors COVID-19 Recovery Task Force has launched a report that lays out the C40 Mayors’ collective vision for an equitable and sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The report titled, ‘C40 Mayors’ Agenda for a Green and Just Recovery,’ identifies key actions that are critical to achieving this vision.
The report puts forward a set of nine principles to guide a green and just recovery:
- The recovery should not be a return to “business as usual”;
- The recovery must be guided by an adherence to public health and scientific expertise;
- Excellent public services, public investment, and increased community resilience will form the most effective basis for the recovery;
- The recovery must address issues of equity;
- The recovery must improve the resilience of cities and communities;
- Climate action can help accelerate economic recovery and enhance social equity through the use of new technologies and the creation of new industries and jobs;
- The recovery from COVID-19 must be healthy, equitable, and sustainable;
- National governments must support both cities and the investments needed in cities; and
- International and regional institutions need to invest directly in cities.
The report recommends key actions needed to ensure a green and just recovery in cities, and highlights examples from around the world that show how the “new normal” is taking shape in cities, providing evidence that it is possible to “build back better.” The actions and examples from cities are presented in three categories:
- Jobs and an inclusive economy: Create new, good, green jobs fast, support essential workers, and massively expand training to facilitate a just transition;
- Resilience and equity: Provide fundamental public services for all, underpinning a fair society and strong economy, resilient to future shocks; and
- Health and well-being: Give space back to people and nature, rethink and reclaim our streets, clean our air, and create liveable, local communities.
The report also includes a six-prong call to action by national and regional governments, central banks, and international financial institutions to support cities in their recovery efforts:
- The only stimulus should be green stimulus;
- Commit to an equitable and inclusive recovery;
- Protect and champion mass transit;
- Prioritize and invest in clean energy;
- Invest in resilient cities as the engines of the recovery; and
- End all public investments in fossil fuels.
The C40 Global Mayors COVID-19 Recovery Task Force was established at the direction of C40 Chair and Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, and is chaired by Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan. The Task Force is guided by a Statement of Principles already endorsed by more than 40 cities. [Publication: C40 Mayors’ Agenda for a Green and Just Recovery] [Publication Landing Page] [C40 Policy Brief on the Agenda] [C40 Press Release] [C40 Global Mayors COVID-19 Recovery Task Force: Statement of Principles]