When cities push for greater global climate ambitions

The Seoul Mayors Forum on Climate Change opened on September 1 in the capital of the Republic of Korea, gathering nearly 40 cities, to share how cities can support national and global efforts to raise the level of global ambition and ensure a rapid entry into force of the Paris Agreement.

Opening session

  • Mayor Park Won Soon, Mayor of Seoul Metropolitan Government, Republic of Korea and ICLEI President at the opening plenary: “There is only one way that climate change can be dealt with, and that is together.”

Mayoral discussion 1: cities implementing climate actions

The first mayoral session gathered ambassadors and champions of the Compact of Mayors and Covenant of Mayors cities and towns who presented their climate action leadership and the progress made in their respective cities.

  • Gino Van Begin, Secretary General of ICLEI, facilitating the first mayoral session: “The current national targets fall short of 14 gigatons”.

Mayoral discussion 2: implementation of global agreements – what can cities do?

During the second Mayoral Session, discussions focused on how local governments can contribute to the global agreements, particularly the Paris Agreement and the New Urban Agenda, and define specific requests to national governments in this regard to ensure enabling frameworks are in place to support local climate action.

  • Paolo Caridi, Chargé d’affaires, a.i., Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea, highlighted the fundamental role played by Europe on the way to sustainable development by providing a vision, frameworks and pilot projects.

Mayoral discussion 3: towards low-emissions and resilient development

In the last session, local leader explored a variety of local approaches that support low emission resilient development, also considering the wide range of benefits ans using local resources – from local renewables to local expertise that stimulate the urban and regional green economy.

  • Dr. Neni Moerniaeni, Sp.OG, Mayor of Bontang City, Indonesia presented how the city is using waste to create energy in addition to using more renewable energy.