The Power Behind the Paris Climate Agreement

This week, almost 30 Compact of Mayors cities gathered at the United Nations Climate Action Summit 2016 in Washington, DC. This event, hosted in part by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change Michael Bloomberg, and the Compact of Mayors, demonstrated the sheer force of cities when it comes to collaborating, coordinating, and leading on climate action.

In a day devoted to local action, mayors from around the world showcased the steps they are already taking in their cities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Through the Compact, nearly 500 cities are pledging to be part of the solution to climate change by delivering on the targets set by the Paris Agreement.

However, urban leaders face a variety of challenges as they try to move forward on a path towards sustainability. In a new report launched at the Summit, The Power Behind the Paris Climate Agreement, the Compact of Mayors explores the extent to which power is an important factor in driving city action. By looking at the biggest contributor to urban emissions, the building sector, the report found that cities with strong power were found to take 30 percent more action.

This reaffirms the notion that city power matters.

This research also shows that cities can’t overcome the barriers to climate action alone. In order to deliver a low-carbon future, cities need the support of national governments to create pathways for local action. With the necessary support to execute their climate action plans, even more can be achieved on enhancing resilience and mitigating the effects of climate change.

Beyond power, the Climate Action Summit is also highlighting the interaction between mobility and climate change and the importance of a common global vision for urban transport that supports and propels the Paris Agreement.

The provision of climate finance to the local level is an all-encompassing barrier that must be overcome in order for cities to reduce emissions from power, transport and whole host of other sectors. Matchmaking between urban projects and financing institutions, be they public or private, is essential to unlock sufficient financing in the implementation phase.

If a coalition of cities works together, they can tap even greater potential.

When it comes to taking the necessary steps to make progress on climate change and deliver on the Paris Agreement, how does a city get from commitment to compliance with the Compact?

Today, at the Summit, the Compact of Mayors launched a new e-learning tool to show cities how to work through the phases of compliance.

Built in conjunction with World Resources Institute, the self-paced virtual environment supports local leaders to help them better understand the key requirements for the Compact as well as guide them through their respective city’s journey towards achieving compliance. Through videos, interactive content, exercises, infographics, and maps, the tool steers cities through setting emissions reduction targets, building GPC-compliant inventories, identifying hazards and conducting risk assessments, as well as creating climate action and adaptation plans. The tool also builds an online community for cities through Q&A sessions with experts, offering them the collaboration and coordination they need to become fully compliant with the Compact of Mayors.

The course has the power to strengthen city climate action efforts as local leaders work to drive carbon emissions reductions and deliver on the Paris climate goals.

This week’s Climate Action Summit set the stage for what is to come as cities work to implement the Paris climate goals. But there’s still a need for even greater local climate action. Setting out to encourage more cities to make climate commitments and advancing national and city cooperation, the Compact research on city power as well as the e-learning course will help the greater global community gain access to deeper insights and deliver meaningful action on climate change. As we all take steps on the road towards keeping the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C, every step counts.

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