U.S. Compact of Mayors Cities Traveled to Beijing for the US-China Climate-Smart/Low Carbon Cities Summit.

City leaders from sixteen cities across the United States were at the Second China-U.S. Climate-Smart / Low-Carbon Cities Summit this week, joining over 40 Chinese local leaders in Beijing. As members of the Compact of Mayors, the U.S. delegation represented a growing coalition committed to setting tangible climate goals to reduce emissions as well as working with Chinese local leaders to meet bilateral and global climate goals.

Thread through every keynote, panel and breakout session at the Summit was the notion that while cities are the world leaders when it comes to creating a cleaner future, they will be able to take even more action when empowered to work together through initiatives like the Compact of Mayors and the Alliance of Peaking Pioneer Cities (APPC), as well as when they are supported by every level of government.

Kicking off the Summit, Mayor Greg Stanton of Phoenix shared examples of the many local initiatives already taking place in cities throughout the U.S. and set an inspiring tone for the rest of the two-day event:

“I am encouraged not only by the new and innovative ideas participants consistently bring to the table, but also the sheer increase in the number of participants. Since the Paris Agreement alone, the Compact of Mayors has added 100 new cities…We can do this. We already see this process at work in cities across the globe… Cities’ successes have forced national governments to take notice, offer their help, and even cede control to municipalities in some policy areas.”

His words were not only heard but echoed by the pledges that followed. Bolstering the dedication of local leaders to climate action, Mayor Marty Walsh of Boston and Mayor Zhu Xiaoming of Zhenjiang signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), on behalf of the Compact of Mayors and the Alliance of Peaking Pioneer Cities (APPC), respectively. The MOU intends to strengthen and coordinate efforts to combat global climate change and promote low-carbon development through both initiatives.

On the signing, Mayor Marty Walsh said: “We know that greater collaboration between all levels of government is how we will meet the aggressive goals that were laid out in Paris…I am honored to join leaders from around the world in Beijing to formalize continued cooperation between the Compact of Mayors and the Alliance of Peaking Pioneer Cities. This greater collaboration will ensure cities are in step with national governments in fully implementing the Paris Agreement.”

In Beijing, U.S. and Chinese urban leaders signaled their shared set of goals and values through two days of panels and discussions with topics ranging from green finance and land use to transportation and air quality. Cities were also joined by key officials from the U.S. and Chinese governments, who are equally committed to strengthening bilateral action on climate change. For example, ahead of the panels and breakout sessions, U.S. Deputy Energy Secretary Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall joined the mayors and city representatives.

What’s more, Secretary of State John Kerry took the stage at the Summit to express how urgent the need is for climate action at every level of government. When it comes to tackling climate change, he noted that partnerships are key. In response to the MOU signing, Secretary Kerry applauded the work of cities by stating:

“More than 125 U.S. cities have signed on to the Compact of Mayors, which former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg organized in order to secure public commitments from urban leaders on a global basis…An increasing number of Chinese cities have joined the Alliance of Peaking Pioneer Cities…and they are going to explore new approaches for low-carbon development and help local and national leaders be able to reach peak emission targets as quickly as possible. Just a couple of hours ago, these two coalitions — the Compact of Mayors and the APPC — signed an MOU to better be able to connect their members and ensure their cities are helping one another as they combat climate change and promote sustainable development.”

U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change Jonathan Pershing reinforced Secretary Kerry’s sentiments, pointing to the pivotal role cities have to play in its future. “While cities played a critical role leading up to Paris… they will play an even more important role in the months and years ahead,” as the world turns towards “the on-the-ground action that matters most.”

Both the United States and China bear great responsibility in the fight against climate change, since both countries already face serious consequences of climate change. In China, harmful factory smog has become a regular part of everyday urban life, while the U.S. faces the worsening threat of rising seas, extreme weather events and poor air quality.

Mayor Marty Walsh was clear when he said, “There is no more pressing, or defining, global challenge than climate change. As cities, we take on greater ability — and greater responsibility — to collaborate, to innovate, and to lead together on the world’s hardest challenges.”

The Compact of Mayors and APPC “accomplished a lot at this Summit — agreements have been signed, commitments have been entered into from both our countries, cities are stepping up, leading the way, and providing an example of how to prosper in a post-carbon age,” said Mayor Christopher Coleman of St. Paul during the closing ceremony at the Summit.

These city leaders continue to demonstrate their strength and resolve when it comes to making a significant impact on climate neutrality. But this will require a shared vision, understanding and target, and this Summit was a platform for all of that — signifying one step closer towards achieving a swift and successful implementation of the Paris Agreement.

See all the photos from the Summit here.

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