New Delhi, May 5 : The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM), an international coalition of city leaders committed to raising the global ambition for climate action, launched a regional chapter for South Asia here on Saturday.
GCoM-SA, the South Asia chapter of the programme, aims to support the efforts of cities in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and make their communities more resilient toward the effects of climate change.
It also aims to encourage and support South Asian sub-national authorities to promote the economic and health benefits of cities’ climate action.
So far 14 cities in the region have committed to GCoM, representing a population of more than 36 million. Through their commitments made to GCoM to take action on climate change, cities in the region could reduce their emissions by 65 per cent.
GCoM-SA was launched within the context of the South Asian Cities Summit and through support from the European Union (EU) funded International Urban Cooperation programme in India and city network partners.
The launch was attended by GCoM Vice-Chair and former UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres and EU Ambassador Tomasz Kozlowski besides mayors, commissioners, key local actors and representatives from across South Asian countries.
Speaking at the launch, Ambassador of the European Union Tomasz Kozlowski said, “As one of the founders of GCoM, we are pleased to see the successful launch of the South Asia chapter of this international initiative. Through the EU funded International Urban Cooperation project, the EU will support the South Asian secretariat, develop context-relevant GCoM material, support the technical assistance tools as well as promote scientific assessment processes inspired by best practices from the EU and city networks. I believe that this is an important initiative to implement our common goals in energy, urbanisation, waste management and transport”.
The GCoM-SA on Saturday officially launched a campaign to further invite mayors and commissioners from India as well as local governments across the region to join the GCoM and commit to transitioning to a low-carbon and climate resilient economy.
Surat and Gangtok also signed a commitment to join cities across the globe to take action as part of this coalition.
Global Covenant of Mayors Vice-Chair, former UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres said, “Tackling climate in South Asian cities is about delivering this centuries’ opportunity for economic development, jobs, growth, long-term resilience and improving quality of life. It is also about ensuring that we reach the global climate turning point to bend the curve of emissions downward by 2020 in order to ensure the long-term resilience of our cities and other areas”.
Rajkot Mayor and Global Covenant of Mayors Board Member Jaimin Upadhyay and Gwalior Mayor Vivek Narayan Shaijwalkar also spoke.
UNI
Post A Comment:
0 comments so far,add yours