Climate Action 2010-2011

Paseo de la Reforma, Mexico City’s most important avenue, has been
transformed into a public space for cyclists and pedestrians who go out for a
ride on Sundays for the ‘Muévete en Bici’ programme. Since 2007, around
three million people have participated in this activity.
Regional Focus
Green cities –
‘state-of-the-art’ urban living to
tackle global warming
Marcelo Ebrard
Mayor of Mexico City
The battle to slow climate change won’t be fought in
the world’s rainforests nor its oceans but fought – and
won – in our biggest cities, says Marcelo Ebrard,
current mayor of Mexico City. The health of the planet
depends on the actions of billions of urban dwellers.
As climate-aware city leaders prove themselves green
pioneers, pushing through bold policies to cut carbon
emissions and improve sustainability, Ebrard argues
that cities should be given a stronger voice in global
climate change negotiations.
In spite of the severe potential consequences of global
warming, international discussions have been marked
by division and disagreement. In 1972, the year in
which the UN Conference on the Human Environment
officially recognised the impact of human activities on
climate, an international negotiation process began that
continues today. Almost four decades on, the outlook
seems bleak, at least in the short term.
The UN has declared that the actions undertaken by
the most industrialised countries have been insufficient to
achieve reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
and that unless substantial efforts are made to mitigate
them urgently, changes in climate will become inevitable
and irreversible.
In addition, the implementation of clean technologies
is not happening fast enough. Faced with this inertia,
however, cities have chosen to act. On a daily basis, cities
carry out the most relevant and innovative public policies
that are already impacting on the world’s climate in
positive ways.
Cities should have a stronger voice and presence in
global climate negotiations given the decisive leadership
and commitment of our city’s leaders worldwide to
mitigate GHG emissions and develop climate change
adaptation mechanisms.
Reducing risk for future generations is a priority for
the world’s cities, therefore the efforts we are making
require international support and financing to put the
brakes on global warming and reduce the risk profile for
the next 20 to 25 years.
Cities to take the initiative
Today, cities at risk from climate-induced flooding, such
as London and New York, have expressed their concern
about the imminent rise in sea levels. Cities in Asia are
concerned about the consequences of increasing numbers
of hurricanes every year.
Cities do not have time to waste. We must accelerate
the transition to a low-carbon economy by changing
habits and investing in environmental protection.
We must recognise common responsibilities while
differentiating between developed nations and those
in the process of development. Cities that do not take
the effects of global warming seriously will not be
competitive in the future and will generate high risks for
their populations over time.
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