The presence of mayors in the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow highlights their growing visibility and commitment towards ecological transition. They emphasized the need for urgent actions and advocated for a more prominent role in global decision-making processes, challenging national governments to take credible and immediate action against global warming.
Despite their increasing visibility, cities' ability to influence global agreements remains limited, mainly because they can significantly impact action on the ground. Cities manage critical competencies and budgets related to climate change transitions, making their commitments impactful.
To increase their influence, cities have focused on collaborative, multi-level actions from local to national levels, emphasizing urbanization as a priority for climate action and financing. They also prioritized holistic approaches to climate justice and linked environmental sustainability with key urban challenges like housing, energy poverty, mobility, circular economy, and sustainable food systems.
Cities have pushed for a collaborative, multi-level approach to address climate change, advocating for a shift from rhetoric to concrete action that leads to measurable results. The "Cities Race to Zero" initiative is a prime example, aiming to halve emissions by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050, involving over 1000 cities worldwide. This initiative focuses on setting specific goals and implementing climate action plans.
The collective action of cities worldwide has immense potential for a more effective and equitable climate transition. Highlighting concrete outcomes from international agreements and their implementation at the local level could enhance the legitimacy of diplomatic actions, surpassing the limitations of multilateral efforts often marked by unrealistic objectives. While cities should continue influencing global agendas, they must fulfill their commitments, transform urban realities, and demonstrate the effectiveness of their policies.
