February 26, 2021 - Driving Local Action

Local climate action

The adoption of the Paris Agreement was a turning point in international climate negotiations, introducing a new platform for all countries to implement domestic action and provide international support. However, ambition efforts pledged by countries still fall short of the goals identified by science and embodied by the Agreement: as certified by the IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C of Global Warming and other studies, the aggregate effect of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for GHG emissions reductions is not yet consistent with a pathway to a “well below 2°C” world, or the more ambitious 1.5 degrees goal.

To ensure such goals are met, a fast and extensive transformation of energy and industrial systems is needed by countries, to achieve a cut of at least 45% of GHG emissions compared to 2010 levels in 2030 according to UNEP. However, such shift is unlikely to be fulfilled by governmental actions only, thus shedding a light on the importance of “non-State actors”, especially large cities. Recent reports show that over 55% of the world population currently lives in urban areas, and such share may increase to nearly 70% by 2050. Accordingly, it will be essential that cities foster their resilience and mitigation policies, to ensure healthier urban environments, reduce their GHG emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change.

Over the past few years, several initiatives have been developed to create a network of cities and local communities: these include initiatives such as the new global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, which provides support to local authorities in their efforts on mitigation, adaptation and sustainable management of waste. However, cities – especially small towns and local communities - have in many cases experienced technical and financial challenges in implementing their planned actions to tackle climate change. New, innovative solutions are therefore required, whilst recognizing the importance of local and indigenous peoples’ knowledge and experience in living in harmony with nature.

Recently, new challenges have also emerged following the outbreak of the pandemic, which has significantly affected life and mobility in cities. According to UN Habitat, urban areas (and particularly globally connected cities) have been the first epicentres of COVID-19, accounting for nearly 95 per cent of confirmed cases. This reinforced the case for the need to rebuild cities sustainably, from an economic, social and environmental perspective.

To this purpose, additional initiatives have been launched, such as “C40’s Global Mayors COVID-19 recovery task force”, aimed at improving public health, reducing inequality and addressing the climate crisis. The linkages between sustainability and urban development will become increasingly relevant in 2021, as it will be International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development. A number of international events focusing on cities will also take place in 2021, including World Cities Summit and ICLEI’s World Congress.

The February webinar was focused on the role of cities and local communities in the fight against climate change, including by discussing historical and recent challenges and opportunities, as well as ways to further enhance cities’ role and action at the global level. Moreover, modalities and solutions to foster youth and indigenous peoples’ participation at the local level were addressed. February's was the last #Youth4ClimateLive Series meeting that closed with some special messages from key COP26 stakeholders.

Moderators
Salina Abraham, outgoing President of the International Forestry Students’ Association
Ahmed Badr, writer, multi-media artist, social entrepreneur, the Founder of Narratio and a former Iraqi refugee.

High-Level Speakers
Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan (Italy)
João Henrique Campos, Mayor of Recife (Brazil).

High-level pre-recorded video messages
Roberto Cingolani, Minister for Environment, Land and Sea (Italy)
Alok Sharma, COP26 President, the United Kingdom
Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director, UN-Habitat
Patricia Espinoza, Executive Secretary, UNFCCC.

Youth Speakers
Sarah Farheen Khan, Programme Assistant, International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD), Bangladesh, Country Co-coordinator, YOUNGO
Lodovica Cattani, Organizer, LCOY Italy and Country Co-coordinator for Italy, COY16
Neeshad Shafi, Co-Founder, Arab Youth Climate Movement Qatar (AYCMQA).

SumItUp!
For those between the age of 15 to 29 it is possible to participate in #SumItUp competition by presenting a summary of the main messages of one of the episodes.

All information available here:
https://www.reachnotpreach.com/sumitup
/notizie/disegna-il-clima-con-la-tua-creativita-partecipi-all-incontro-mondiale-dei-giovani-milano

Previous episodes
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9R0MYGYsvktTHzxKY9KjGcKLIsqyjwyz

For further information - Milan 2021
/pagina/towards-cop26-pre-cop-and-youth-event-youth4climate-driving-ambition

February 26, 2021 Driving Local Action
Virtual event
Time: 16:00-17:00 CEST - 10:00-11:00 am EDT
Type: open
Format: discussion, italian translation available
Description The last episode of the #Youth4ClimateLive Series was focused on the role of cities and local communities in the fight against climate change, including by discussing historical and recent challenges and opportunities, as well as ways to further enhance cities’ role and action at the global level. Moreover, modalities and solutions to foster youth and indigenous peoples’ participation at the local level were addressed. The session opened with an introductory video message by Environment Minister, Roberto Cingolani. The webinar was attended by Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan, João Henrique Campos, Mayor of Recife, and ended with key special messages of the key actors of the COP26. Three youth representatives then joined the discussion, to provide their view on the following questions: • How do you think local climate measures can benefit from the contribution of youth and indigenous peoples? • What are you doing to engage your city or local community to that purpose? • What are the barriers for enhanced engagement and participation of youth in shaping cities and local communities’     policies and actions on climate change?
Documents: Concept note
ITEM AND SPEAKERS
Moderators
Salina Abraham Outgoing President of the International Forestry Students’ Association and former coordinator of the Youth in Landscapes Initiative.
Ahmed Badr Writer, multi-media artist, social entrepreneur, the Founder of Narratio and a former Iraqi refugee working at the intersection of creativity, displacement, and youth empowerment.
High-Level Speakers
Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan (Italy). He described the actions undertaken for the city of Milan to fight climate change.
João Henrique Campos, Mayor of Recife (Brazil). He described the actions undertaken for the city of Recife to fight climate change.
Youth Speakers
Sarah Farheen Khan (Bangladesh) Programme Assistant, International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) and Country Co-coordinator YOUNGO.
Lodovica Cattani (Italy) Organizer LCOY Italy (Conference Of Youth on climate change) and Country Co-coordinator for Italy COY16.
Neeshad Shafi (Qatar) Co-Founder Arab Youth Climate Movement Qatar (AYCMQA).
High-level pre-recorded video messages
Roberto Cingolani Minister of Environment, Italy	Alok Sharma COP26 President, the United Kingdom	Maimunah Mohd Sharif Executive Director, UN-Habitat	Patricia Espinoza Executive Secretary, UNFCCC