COPENHAGEN /PRNewswire/ — Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard has been appointed Chair of the World Mayors Council on Climate Change. Mr. Ebrard succeeds Barbel Dieckmann, former Mayor of Bonn, Germany.
The World Mayors Council on Climate Change is an alliance of municipal leaders committed to climate protection, biodiversity and sustainable development. There are currently more than 30 members of the Council, representing a vast network of local governments working to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
“While world leaders continue to debate climate solutions, with an uncertain outcome for agreement, the mayors of the world are taking bold action,” said Mayor Ebrard. “This week, numerous cities have demonstrated that we are already implementing innovative solutions, and committing significant resources of both intellectual and financial capital to address the critical problem of climate change.”
Mayor Ebrard continued, “The Council’s mission for the year ahead is to build on this foundation and provide enhanced support to municipal governments in their efforts to address climate change and related issues of global sustainability.”
With more than half of the world’s population now living in urban areas, cities bear a large responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions. The World Mayors Council on Climate Change, together with its partnership with ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, understand the need for action and cooperation in tackling this critical problem. The key objectives of the Council include political promotion of policies to help the world’s largest cities tackle climate change as well as fostering the international cooperation of municipal leaders on achieving relevant climate targets.
As a leader in climate action, Mexico City is investing more than $1 billion a year on environmental-related infrastructure and implementing sustainable environmental programs and practices. Mexico City’s Climate Action Plan, launched by Mayor Ebrard, aims to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 7 million tons between 2008 and 2012. The 15-year plan is designed to reduce transportation-related emissions; conserve public lands through major reforestation projects; encourage businesses to adopt sustainable environmental practices; invest in critical environmental infrastructure such as water management systems and recycling centers; and implement reforms regarding the disposal of solid waste.