Declaring a climate emergency should trigger the planning and preparation of comprehensive steps towards the achievement of net zero emissions including developing policy measures and strategies that should envisage the interlinkages of mitigation, adaptation, and resilience in a holistic approach. Setting Climate-neutrality targets follows a similar approach, followed by rapid implementation and mobilization of climate funding and financing at an unprecedented scale. There are good practices where the two processes (i.e Declaring Climate Emergency by municipal councils and setting Climate Neutrality commitments and strategies by the municipal administration) can strengthen each other.
This session will provide insights on the opportunities to bridge Climate Neutrality and declaring a Climate Emergency at local level to accelerate the ambitious climate action inspired on good practices and experiences of different local governments. Cities representatives will share their stories, needs, and approaches to respond to the climate emergency and identify the benefits and opportunities of an integrated approach towards Climate Neutrality.
This discussion builds on the Cities Race to Zero Campaign, the ICLEI partnership with CEDAMIA and the outcomes of the Daring Cities 2021 Global Forum which highlight the necessity to act now in response to the climate emergency. It also links to the European Mission on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities. The outcomes of this event will feed into Daring Cities 2022 to reflect on the progress and will guide ICLEI work towards the COP27.
Speakers
- Azhar Arshad, Mayor, Seberang Perai, Malysia
- Sharon Dijksma, Mayor, City of Utrecht, Netherlands
- Diego Riveaux, Director of Sustainability, City of Vitacura, Chile
- Ana Romero, Head of Climate change and environmental awareness, Metropolitan Area of Barcelona, Spain
Session overview
13:45-13:55 CEST | Opening and introduction
13:55-14:15 CEST | Questions from the moderator to the speakers
- What approach is your local government taking to accelerate climate action and why?
- What value does a Climate Emergency Declaration have? Does this mean the City Council allocates financial resources? Is there annual reporting to the City Council to track progress?
- What are the key practical steps and elements needed for a robust and effective response to the climate emergency and achieving climate neutrality targets?
- How to drive positive support on climate action where all the actors and stakeholders in a city co-define actions in support of the Climate Emergency Declaration / Climate Neutrality Target?
- What are the anticipated consequences of non-action, and how can this information be leveraged to drive climate action among local stakeholders and investors? What are the strategic and immediate benefits of action?
- Are you aware of the Global Covenant of Mayors, the Race to Zero and Science-based Targets initiative for Cities? What is the value of such global initiatives, in your view?
14:15-14:25 CEST | Q&A session – Audience questions to panelists
14:25-14:40 CEST | Speakers share key messages on enablers to upscale climate action
14:40-14:45 CEST | Closing remarks