Climate and energy transition

Two days before world leaders meet at the UN climate summit in Copenhagen, local government worldwide call on heads of state and government to retain the reference to their role in the fight against climate change.

 

At this stage, the preamble of the negociations text reads:

 

"Further recognising that a broad range of stakeholders needs to be engaged on global, regional, national and local levels, including subnational and local government (...) are important for effective action on all aspects of climate change".

 

Speaking on behalf of local government in Copenhagen, on 7 December, Ronan Dantec, Deputy Mayor of Nantes, Climate Negotiation Group of United Cities and Local Governments stressed: World leaders cannot expect to achieve major climate change objectives without contributions and commitments, both financial and human, from local and regional government, alongside with state and EU support. Climate negotiators must find ways to acknowledge that role in a Copenhagen agreement.

 

Many events organised by associations of local and regional government are being held in Copenhagen to relay the message to climate change experts and negotiators.

 

From 14 to 17 December, the City of Copenhagen is bringing together mayors from all over the world to the Copenhagen Climate Summit for Mayors. The event is organised in cooperation with C40 (the partnership of major cities around the world to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency) and ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainable Development).

 

The global partners of the Local Government Climate Roadmap including ICLEI, UCLG, CEMR, Metropolis, World Mayors Council for Climate held a conference on 16 December.

 

United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) is organising, on 17 December, a conference to discuss actions and strategies to be set up after Copenhagen.

 

The Committee of Regions is organising, on 16 December, an event entitled "Mobilizing Citizens: Regions and cities working together for climate protection".

 

Representatives of local and regional government reported problems concerning access to the Bella Centre, the conference premises hosting the COP15 UN Climate Change Conference, on 15 December.