Climate and energy transition

Carbon taxes, cycle paths, electric transport system or auctioning of carbon emission rights. Cities and regions around the world are leading the fight against global warming.

This is one of the main conclusions highlighted by the 1st annual report of the Global Observatory of Non-State Climate Action, published by Climate Chance.

Its aim? To become a key toolkit to encourage local and national decision-makers around the world to pool local and national policies when carrying out measures to limit the consequences of climate change.

"We are convinced that if we do not show the successes and the difficulties of actions undertaken so far, we will not be able to multiply them, to remove the obstacles and inertia that prevent us from being at the height of the challenge," says Ronan Dantec, French Senator and President of Climate Chance.

This report, which the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) contributed to, showcases several success stories at the local level. In Helsinki, for instance, new public buildings have almost zero energy consumption, since 2017. The city of Paris has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 39% thanks to the extension of the metro and tramway lines and the regular closure of roads to traffic.

The involvement of financial sector is also crucial to achieve a low carbon economy. According to the report, 58% of banks implemented strategies related to climate change within the last 18 months.

This report comes out a few days before the opening of the 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (COP24) in Katowice (Poland).

The global observatory of non-state climate action plans to publish a new edition each year.