Cities from around the world embrace 100% renewable goal

On the sidelines of the official talks at the COP21 conference in Paris on Friday, 700 mayors from around the world committed to a long-term goal of going 100% renewable.

Representatives of cities, regions and local governments gathered for the Climate Summit for Local Leaders to make their contribution to tackling climate change. The local leaders noted in a declaration that they have an increasing role to play in climate action given that cities around the world are home to half the global population and generate two thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The signatories to the declaration have committed to "support ambitious long-term climate goals such as a transition to 100% renewable energy in our communities, or a 80% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2050." They pledged to advance and exceed the expected goals of the agreement to be reached at COP21.

The cities attending the event include Rio de Janeiro, London, Berlin, Bordeaux, Copenhagen, Milan, Athens, Sydney, Seoul, New Delhi, Beijing, Chicago, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Montreal and many others.

The local leaders summit was hosted by Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo and Michael Bloomberg, the UN secretary-general’s special envoy for cities and climate change and former New York mayor.

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