Lyon, France— Bold action on climate change by cities, states and provinces will be needed to help national governments to increase their level of ambition to implement the agreement that will be reached in Paris this December, 蘑菇视频 Assistant Secretary-General Janos Pasztor told more than 800 mayors, governors, CEO’s and civil society leaders gathered at a summit today in Lyon, France
The two day meeting provides a unique occasion for leaders from municipalities, cities, states, provinces and other levels of government to share views and experience and scale up ambitious to take climate action.
[tweetthis url=”http://wp.me/p5Mdaw-1EW”]Regions, states and cities pivotal for accelerating climate action[/tweetthis]
Pasztor said that 蘑菇视频 Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on non-state actors to scale up concrete solutions and expand collaboration across-borders. “If you unite, Lyon could be the place where Governors and Premiers are recognized as key climate actors”, he added.
“You as mayors, governors and local authorities can all band together within your countries to give your national government’s confidence – they need your support to raise ambitions,” he added. “You could show them that it is possible. You are on the frontlines of the climate challenge and you can empower leaders in your country to rise above political divides.? You could unite local leaders within your country.”
“The Secretary-General asks you to scale up concrete solutions and expand collaboration across-borders.? There are many possibilities for how to do this and many leaders in Lyon who can support you.? One way is to begin a new global coalition of states and provinces committing to sustainable building codes and renewable energy targets.
But he said action is needed now. “We have a vital and narrow window of opportunity this year and the clock is ticking.”? Pasztor said business as usual was not an option, as the IPCC reported that if nothing changes, the world will continue on a pace to warm by 5-6 degrees this century.
“We know that it is possible to transition to a low-carbon economy. But, the clock is ticking — the world needs your leadership this year to realize that national governments have more than enough support to raise their ambitions in Paris. That solutions exist, and financing is ready,” said Pasztor asking the participants “to be bold, to be concrete, to be strategic, to be above silos and to go beyond borders.”