C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40)
C40 is a global network of large cities taking action to address climate change by developing and implementing policies and programs that generate measurable reductions in both greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks. 2015 marks the 10-year anniversary of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group.
C40 helps establish regular communication for participating city officials through virtual exchange and in-person gatherings, and enables direct access to vital resources such as research, analytical tools, funding or financing, and technical expertise.
C40 networks are active working groups of C40 cities with commonly identified opportunities, interests or priorities. Networks are supported by C40 staff to facilitate knowledge transfer and peer-to-peer exchange, as well as to provide direct support to cities developing local policies, programs or projects, often through managed partnerships. Networks can also provide a platform for joint problem solving.
The Climate Change Risk Assessment Network brings together forward-thinking cities to exchange best practices in understanding and prioritizing risk and planning investment with the aim of building more resilient cities.
In 2014, 98% of C40 cities report that the current or anticipated effects of climate change present significant risks to their cities. In response 75% of reporting C40 cities have conducted assessments of climate risks. Clearly, cities across the globe are leading the way in understanding and addressing climate risk. As leaders, the best way for cities to learn is from one another.
Through the Climate Change Risk Assessment Network cities are working together to identify the best ways to gather and manage data on climate, hazards, impacts, infrastructure and communities. They are developing approaches to engage communities in challenging discussions about risk and their role in responding. Cities are sharing their best practice on how to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of adaptation actions. The network also supports those cities looking to begin or improve their understanding of climate change risk and vulnerability.
The Cool Cities Network will focus on opportunities for cities to reap the economic, energy, health, environmental, and social benefits of reducing urban heat islands by developing tools and resources to identify the causes and impacts of urban heat islands; supporting the design and launch of cool surface programs and city action plans; and by fostering peer-to-peer and expert knowledge exchanges to share best practices, proven strategies, and data.
The Cool Cities Network is supported through a partnership with the Global Cool Cities Alliance (GCCA), a non-profit organization with the sole aim of accelerating a global transition to “highly reflective, cooler, and healthier cities.”
Connecting Delta Cities is a network of delta cities that are active in the field of climate change related spatial development, water management, and adaptation, in order to exchange knowledge on climate adaptation and share best practices that can support cities in developing their adaptation strategies.
C40 provides many tools and resources on their website. C40's Open Data Portal provides direct, interactive access to the wealth of statistical information provided annually by C40 cities. Through the Open Data Portal, it is possible to access and investigate a number of data sets on C40 cities, including GHG Emissions Inventories, Reduction Targets, and Citywide Risks.
C40 was created in 2005 by former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, and forged a partnership in 2006 with the Cities Program of President Clinton’s Climate Initiative (CCI) to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency in large cities across the world. Under the leadership of then Mayor of Toronto David Miller, who served after Mayor Livingstone as C40 Chair, the organization advanced programs and partnerships that drew international recognition for the role of cities as leaders in climate action.
New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg served as C40 Chair from November 2010 to December 2013, during which time C40 fully integrated with the Clinton Foundation's CCI Cities Program. Mayor Bloomberg currently serves as President of the C40 Board of Directors.
Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes began his tenure as C40 Chair in December 2013.
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Related Resources:
- Protecting Our Capital: How Climate Adaptation in Cities Creates a Resilient Place for Business
- C40 Good Practice Guide: Climate Change Adaptation in Delta Cities
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