The mayors of the largest cities in Europe and the United States have co-authored a mutual appeal, ‘The Stockholm Appeal on Climate Change’. The appeal manifests the signatories’ desire for the COP15 meeting in Copenhagen to result in an international climate change agreement.
The Mayor of Stockholm, Sten Nordin, initiated the cooperation between the mayors, represented by EUROCITIES and the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM). The appeal complements the ambitions of the Swedish government, which is currently holding the Presidency of the European Union.
The Stockholm Appeal provides a powerful statement of intent to the national governments in the run-up to COP15. By stating the cities’ mutual climate protection and sustainability aspirations, the appeal aspires to serve as further incentive for the heads of state at COP15 to reach an agreement.
“We know it is possible to combine economic growth with strong environmental measures. Our cities are putting into practice many innovative and effective strategies to protect the environment. With our strength, knowledge, experience and successes at the local level, the local governments of our cities play a crucial role in climate protection. Our citizens and cities will help implement the agreement signed by government officials at COP15,” says Sten Nordin, Mayor of Stockholm.
In the UK, Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese supports the Stockholm Appeal on Climate Change.
“Our view in Manchester is that a low carbon future is in everybody’s interest. Measures to develop future prosperity must now be inextricably linked to environmental actions. We also owe a responsibility to the rest of the world, particularly the most under-developed parts, to take a lead in tackling climate change.
“A report we commissioned last year stated the Manchester region would lose £21 billion if we failed to meet the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change. I know that many other cities across Europe and in the US have come to similar conclusions,” Sir Richard continues.
The Stockholm Appeal will be officially presented on 27 November at the EUROCITIES 2009 Stockholm conference. The appeal will be handed over by Sten Nordin, the Mayor of Stockholm, and representatives of the Presidency of EUROCITIES and the Presidency of the USCM, to representatives of the Swedish Presidency of the European Union and the Obama Administration.
“With the Stockholm Appeal on Climate Change, we urge the decision-makers at COP15 to sign the agreement in December, and to use this opportunity for real change. We need the legislation and economic means to put your words into action,” says Sten Nordin, Mayor of Stockholm.
Sir Richard Leese adds: “The decisions to be made in Copenhagen will have an impact on everyone, at a global, national and local level. For that reason, I urge leaders at the summit to seize this critical opportunity to secure a binding agreement that sets ambitious targets for reducing global emissions, while also providing resources to developing countries.”
“The battle against climate change will be won or lost in the cities of Europe, where 80 percent of European citizens live. City governments are best placed to find local solutions to this global challenge. Not only are cities leading by example but they are also closest to the citizens and businesses that need to use our planet’s resources more efficiently,” says Jozias von Aartsen, Mayor of The Hague and President of EUROCITIES.
”U.S. mayors proudly stand with our European counterparts in asking international recognition of the role of local leaders in climate protection. At the forefront of creative strategies, U.S. mayors have forced our national government to act to combat climate change. To date, one thousand mayors have signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, pledging to meet or beat Kyoto goals. Mayoral leadership is a major impetus in climate protection,” says Greg Nickels, Mayor of Seattle and President of USCM.
The appeal refers to the EUROCITIES Declaration on Climate Change, the USCM Climate Protection Agreement and the Local Government Climate Roadmap, expressing the common position of networks of local authorities from all continents.
UK cities supporting the Local Government Climate Roadmap referred to in the Stockholm Appeal on Climate Change include London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, Newcastle-Gateshead, Nottingham and Sunderland.
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