COPENHAGEN (CNS) - Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti today was elected chair of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, a network of the world's largest cities committed to acting on climate change.
“When it comes to climate action, no one is doing more than cities, but no one is doing enough,” Garcetti said in a statement released by the mayor's office. “We are entering a make-or-break decade for the preservation of our planet and environmental justice for every community, and I am proud to chair C40 cities at this critical moment. Together we will continue leading the drive to protect the world and promote a better, more equitable life for everyone living in it.”
The announcement was made on the first day of the C40 World Mayors Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, where the group of more than 90 mayors formally declared a “Global Climate Emergency” and announced their support for a Global Green New Deal.
The coalition of mayors was joined at the summit by climate experts, advocates, business leaders and youth activists.
The Global Green New Deal includes four principles: the recognition of a climate emergency; a commitment to keeping global heating below the 1.5- degree-centigrade goal of the Paris Agreement; a promise to build more equitable economies and advance the cause of environmental justice; and a pledge to work with communities disproportionately affected by climate change and poverty.
Garcetti has served as the vice chair of the C40 Cities since April 2014.
“Under Mayor Garcetti's leadership, Los Angeles has successfully reduced carbon pollution while also creating green jobs and strengthening the city's economy,” said Michael Bloomberg, president of the C40 Board of Directors and the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Climate Action.
Los Angeles has joined other cities in adopting C40 Fossil-Fuel-Free Streets, Advancing Towards Zero Waste and Net Zero Carbon Buildings declarations.
Garcetti is set to formally take office as Chair of C40 Cities on Dec. 1. The mayor has been in Denmark since Oct. 5 and is planned to return to Los Angeles on Saturday.
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