C40 Cities
(Self-Description : August 2008)
C40 is a group of the world’s largest cities committed to tackling climate change. Cities have a central role to play in tackling climate change, particularly as cities bear a disproportional responsibility for causing it. In fact, cities consume 75 per cent of the world’s energy and produce 80 per cent of its greenhouse gas emissions. That is why it is so important for cities to work together, set the agenda on this issue and show leadership on this issue.
Through effective partnership working with the Clinton Climate Initiative C40 will help deliver emissions reductions and better energy efficiency.
Background
In October 2005, representatives of 18 leading world cities met in London to discuss joining forces to tackle global warming and climate change.
The representatives saw the need for action and cooperation on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pledged to work together towards achieving that goal.
At the end of the conference, a communiqué was signed which recognised the need for cities to take action and to cooperate on reducing climate emissions.
The cities also promised a number of action points, including most notably the creation of procurement policies and alliances to accelerate the uptake of climate-friendly technologies and influence the market place.
Partnering with the Clinton Foundation
In August 2006, the initiative was further strengthened when former president Bill Clinton and the former mayor of London Ken Livingstone announced a partnership between the Clinton Climate Initiative and the Large Cities Climate Leadership Group (since then renamed “C40″). This new partnership pledged to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency in large cities across the world.