Chinese cities like Zhenjiang, Qingdao, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen are leading the way in implementing climate solutions at the city level. Initiatives include reducing food waste, developing zero-waste cities, managing energy and carbon emissions, and promoting green industries. Shenzhen has become a world-class 'supercharging city' with a high market penetration of EVs and plans to pilot vehicle-to-grid interaction. Dalian is increasing its renewable energy capacity and developing clean energy industries, including hydrogen-based energy. Wuhan has completed a sponge city pilot project to improve flood control and ecological functions, while also focusing on green, low-carbon development. Municipal leaders in these cities are emphasizing the importance of environmental protection and sustainable development, showcasing practical blueprints for international climate action and the importance of local solutions in achieving global net-zero pathways.
Author: C40
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C40 cities are taking action
City leaders from C40 cities are sharing bold solutions to the climate crisis at the World Mayors Summit 2025, focusing on cutting emissions, redesigning public spaces, and creating fairer, more resilient communities. A joint assessment from GCoM and C40 Cities shows strong growth in local climate implementation, with companies like Amazon, DHL Supply Chain, and Scania taking action supported by initiatives like Laneshift. The overall goal is to secure a fair and livable future for all through collaborative efforts and innovative solutions.
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C40 Cities calls for COP30 to raise ambition and progress plan to phase out fossil fuels
C40 member cities are leading the way in the fossil-free transition by committing to halving fossil fuel use by 2030 and implementing measures such as electrifying transport fleets and creating clean energy utilities. They are taking concrete actions to drive down fossil fuel use, scale renewable energy production, and ensure a fair and inclusive transition away from fossil fuels. Cities around the world are already implementing ambitious climate actions like solar minigrids and clean cooking solutions, with a focus on just and inclusive transitions. National governments must collaborate with cities to create a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels across various sectors and mobilizing finance at scale, ensuring a fair process that includes input from cities, workers, unions, and civil society.
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COP30: Brazil leads a new global effort to accelerate multilevel climate action
Brazil and Germany have been announced as the first co-chairs of the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) until 2027, aiming to enhance collaboration between national and subnational governments in climate policy and finance. The Plan to Accelerate the Solution (PAS) on Multilevel Governance was launched to advance global climate cooperation and implement the Paris Agreement, with a goal to include multilevel governance structures in 100 national climate plans by 2028 and train 6,000 public officials and practitioners in CHAMP-endorsing countries by the same year. The implementation of the PAS will be led by Brazil's Ministry of Cities and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, supported by various global initiatives, reaffirming their commitment to institutionalizing multilevel governance as a cornerstone of climate implementation. Germany's significant investment in climate and biodiversity projects worldwide, including subnational initiatives, further supports the coalition's efforts to advance global implementation and highlights the importance of tangible climate action in cities like Belém, Brazil.
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World Mayors Summit Day 3
Youth activists at the 2025 World Mayors Summit are collaborating with cities and mayors to implement climate solutions on the ground, with the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund expanding to support 300 cities worldwide. The EU has endorsed CHAMP for stronger climate action, while the C40 World Mayors Summit showcases projects in C40 cities focusing on clean energy, urban design, and air quality. City-business collaboration is highlighted as crucial for accelerating climate action ahead of COP30. Local leaders at COP30 stress the importance of collaboration and partnership in achieving national climate goals, working on over 2,500 local projects to channel climate finance for both mitigation and adaptation. Mayor of Rio Eduardo Paes emphasizes the role of city leadership in shifting COPs from negotiation to delivery, calling for greater inclusion of cities and subnational governments as true partners in the process. The message is clear: local leadership is ready to work alongside world leaders to turn ambition into action and promises into progress.
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Brazil, C40 Cities, and the Global Covenant of Mayors announce new mutirão effort to accelerate urban climate solutions in Brazil
A new partnership supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Brazilian National Front of Mayors aims to help 50 Brazilian cities implement over 20 climate projects by 2027, focusing on sustainable transport, waste management, and climate action planning in the Amazon region. The program involves collaboration between national, state, and local governments, as well as various organizations, to ensure effective and sustainable solutions are implemented. Expected outcomes include the development of a national emissions data platform, mitigation projects, climate budgeting integration, and the promotion of multilevel coordination to accelerate climate responses in Brazil. Brazilian cities are receiving investment to enhance their resilience to climate change, with a focus on initiatives such as deploying e-buses and reducing methane emissions from waste, highlighting Brazil's leadership in implementing multilevel climate initiatives. Mayor Eduardo Paes of Rio de Janeiro emphasizes the importance of empowering cities and states to scale successful climate solutions, emphasizing the role of cities in leading climate action and building a stronger, healthier world.
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Mutirão in action at C40 World Mayors Summit as cities lead the way to COP30
City leaders from around the world are showcasing real solutions for climate action at the C40 World Mayors Summit in Rio de Janeiro ahead of COP30. The theme of the summit is "Mutirão in Motion: Cities Leading the Way to COP30" and highlights Brazil's tradition of community collaboration to build solutions. Initiatives such as the Global Methane Hub and the Urban Planning Accelerator are being launched to support cities in cutting methane emissions and integrating climate and equity into city master plans. Mayors are calling for increased funding for urban climate finance and are pushing for the 'Baku-to-Belém Roadmap to $1.3 trillion' to mobilize public and private investment in cities, states, and regions, especially in the Global South. Investment in electric bus fleets in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico has surged to US$4.3 billion, with a partnership aiming to drive port decarbonization through a $1 billion Global Port Sustainability-Linked Loan initiative. Mayor Sadiq Khan emphasizes the importance of cities in addressing climate change and building a sustainable future, while Mayor Eduardo Paes highlights the role of C40 cities in reducing emissions and creating green jobs. Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40, discusses China's "irreversible" green transition and growing global ambition, with efforts in transitioning to a more sustainable economy seen as a positive development in the fight against climate change, influencing other nations to follow suit. This shift towards sustainability is crucial in addressing the climate crisis and creating a more environmentally friendly future.
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World Mayors Summit Day 2
At the 2025 World Mayors Summit, C40 Cities announced three new accelerators to address climate-related issues in cities. The Cool Cities Accelerator aims to help cities prepare for extreme heat and protect residents from its deadly effects, while the Thriving Food Systems Accelerator focuses on transforming food systems for all residents. The Urban Planning Accelerator aims to drive bold climate action by placing people, planet, and prosperity at the center of urban development. These initiatives aim to create cooler, safer, fairer cities, tackle hunger, improve livelihoods, and cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25% by 2050. City leaders are also collaborating to decarbonize freight transport, reduce methane emissions, and accelerate climate progress through initiatives like CHAMP and the Global Mutirão, emphasizing the importance of cities in shaping the global climate agenda.
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Global cities unite to tackle the risks of extreme heat
The Cool Cities Accelerator, a global coalition of 33 cities, aims to address extreme heat in urban areas by implementing innovative heat governance structures, appointing a Chief Heat Officer, and taking actions such as heat risk communication, cool shelters, tree planting, and urban greening initiatives. Supported by organizations like The Rockefeller Foundation and C40 Cities, the initiative seeks to create cooler, greener, and safer cities for all residents, aligning with global standards for climate leadership. The United Nations Secretary-General's call to action on extreme heat underscores the urgent need for cities to take immediate and long-term action to protect communities from the increasing threat of extreme heat. The Accelerator provides a framework for cities to develop heat adaptation targets and implement solutions to mitigate the effects of extreme heat, supporting a broader mission of bold, science-based climate action in urban areas worldwide.
https://www.c40.org/news/global-cities-unite-to-tackle-the-risks-of-extreme-heat/