Local government delegates from around the world were officially recognised as 'governmental stakeholders' in the fight to tackle sustainability issues, during the UN climate talks in Cancun, Mexico, this week.
The climate change talk, followed the successful climate conference – held in Copenhagen, Denmark last year.
During the talks, City of Melbourne councillor, Cathy Oke said the City aims to be a zero carbon emissions city by 2020.
She urged the “UNFCC to work closely with local authorities to support frameworks that lead to better implementation of clean development mechanisms on a local level but have a significant global impact”.
Mayor of Mexico city and holder of the Mayor of the Year 2010 title, Marcelo Ebrard, said the reference to local governments as governmental stakeholders finally gives recognition to cities as key actors in the fight to tackle climate change.
According to the UN, by 2050 two thirds of the world's population will be living in cities, while 75 percent of emissions come from urban areas.
Bo Asmus Kjeldgaard, Mayor for the Environment of Copenhagen, Denmark, said local governments were already ahead of the game when compared to national governments, as they provide local solutions to the global climate challenge.
The official recognition comes days after, 142 cities launched the Mexico City Pact and committed to reporting their climate action, commitments and performance through the ‘carbonn Cities Climate Registry (cCCR)’.
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