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Thursday 20 June 2019

The Global Covenant of Mayors:

Launched in the Caribbean to support local governments with

climate change threats

• Ten cities from the region signed up the adhesion to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in Port of Spain (Trinidad &
Tobago) during the Caribbean Urban Forum 2019.
• More than 9.000 cities around the world have already joined the Global Covenant of Mayors in 131 countries.

PORT-OF-SPAIN/TRINIDAD TOBAGO cities and sub-national authori-
— The Global Covenant of Mayors ties in the Caribbean to plan and
for Climate and Energy (GCoM) implement climate initiatives more
was launched in the Caribbean re- effectively.q
gion in Port of Spain (Trinidad and
Tobago), during the Caribbean Ur- About the Global Covenant of
ban Forum (CUF 2019). The GCoM Mayors for Climate & Energy
is an international coalition of city The Global Covenant of Mayors for
leaders committed to raising the Climate and Energy is the largest
global ambition for climate action. global coalition of cities and local
The Global Covenant of Mayors for governments voluntarily commit-
ted to actively combatting climate
Climate & Energy in Latin America change and transitioning to a low-
and the Caribbean (GCoM-LAC) carbon and climate resilient econ-
aims to support the efforts of local omy. Led by UN Secretary-Gener-
governments in the region to re- Government entities at the fore- to meaningful change. The EU be- al’s Special Envoy for Climate Ac-
duce greenhouse gas (GHG) emis- tion, Michael R. Bloomberg, and
sions and make their communities front of climate change. Hence, lieves that we need to work hand in European Commission Vice Presi-
dent, Maroš Šefčovič, in partner-
through means such as increased hand with cities around the world
more resilient toward the effects of ship with local, regional and global
climate change. The implementa- awareness, Local Government to reach our common climate city networks, the Global Covenant
entities must advocate for cli-
goals. We encourage mayors to
tion of GCoM-LAC is supported by has 9.000 city signatories across
the International Urban Coopera- mate change policy and promote keep leading the way and through 6 continents and more than 120
the adherence to changes that the 'International Urban Coopera-
tion Program (IUC), funded by the countries, representing over 800
European Union. will meaningfully reduce climate tion Programme' (IUC) the EU will million people or nearly 10% of the
change devastation locally.” continue to provide support”. global population. By 2030, Global
In light of these facts, Local Gov- Covenant cities and local govern-
During the launch of the Global ernment Municipality heads in the The Global Covenant of Mayors ments could collectively reduce
Covenant of Mayors in the Carib- 1.3 billion tons of CO2 emissions
bean, framed within the celebra- island state Trinidad and Tobago comes to the Caribbean at a par- per year from business-as-usual –
have agreed in Principle to sign on ticularly important time for the re-
tion of CUF 2019, mayors of Trinidad equal to the emissions of 276 mil-
represented by TTALGA as well as to the Global Covenant of Mayors gion, the most threatened on the lion cars taken off the road. Learn
for Climate change and to support planet by the effects of climate
the mayors of Belmopan (Belize), more at: www.globalcovenantof-
mayors.org
Georgetown (Guyana), Ports- and participate in discussions at change and natural disasters,
meeting that are held here in Port where 60% of its biodiversity is cur-
mouth (Dominica) and May Pen About the Global Covenant of
(Jamaica) showed leadership in of Spain". rently at risk. The Caribbean today Mayors for Climate & Energy in Lat-
faces the great challenge of hav-
agreeing to take action on climate in America and the Caribbean
change by joining the GCoM. It The Ambassador of the European ing to deal with the impacts of se- GCoM LAC is the chapter for Latin
Union to Trinidad and Tobago, vere climatic events and a chang-
means an increase in their level of America and the Caribbean in the
Global Covenant of Mayors. The
commitment to the development Aad Biesebroek stated: “We very ing climate despite having limited implementation of the regional
much welcome the Mayors of resources. Through the regional
of sustainability policies in their ar- chapter of the GCoM-LAC has the
eas, with a focus on the achieve- Latin America and the Caribbean chapter, and as delivered by local financial support of the European
to this very important climate and and global city network partners,
ment of the Paris Agreement goals Union through the "International
at the local level. The Association energy efficiency initiative. Cit- the Global Covenant of Mayors Urban Cooperation Programme
ies are an integral part of climate will offer technical support and
of Local Government Authorities (IUC)". For more information: http://
of Jamaica (ALGAJ) also signed action and Mayors can contribute training, and work with signatory pactodealcaldes-la.eu/ (soon
available also in English).
a letter of intent to join the GCoM
as Regional Coordinator, providing About the International Urban Co-
strategic guidance and support to operation (IUC) programme
local governments in the country. Funded by the European Union,
According to President of the Ca- the International Urban Coopera-
ribbean Association of Local Gov- tion (IUC) programme supports
the achievement of bilateral
ernment Authorities (CALGA) and policy objectives as well as
Trinidad and Tobago Association major international agreements
of Local Government Authorities on urban development and cli-
(TTALGA), Anthony Roberts, “Cli- mate change, such as the New
mate change effects such as in- Urban Agenda, the Sustainable
creased temperature and the in- Development Goals, and the Paris
Agreement. For more information,
crease in proliferation of adverse please reach us at: www.iuc.eu.
weather conditions has put Local