News

Mayor of Toronto to Chair C40 group to continue climate change cooperation across world’s cities

4 June 2008

Mayor of London becomes honorary Deputy Chair to recognise significant role for London

The C40 group of major international cities committed to tackling climate change, has today announced that the Mayor of Toronto, David Miller, will become the new Chair of the C40 Large Cities Climate Initiative and the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, will become honorary Deputy Chair.

In keeping with the aims of the C40, Toronto begins the rotation of the 40 Chair among members in order to share expertise and fully represent global membership of the group.

The C40 secretariat will continue to be based in London.

‘I am incredibly proud and privileged to have been given the chance to lead the C40 and work with cities around the world who are leading in the fight against climate change," said Mayor Miller. "Where national governments are falling short, cities are taking action and achieving results. Climate change is the issue of our time, possibly of all time, and through the C40, we have an opportunity to make real and lasting difference on this pressing global issue.

‘We know that 75 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions originate in cities and this group is committed to doing their part to bring that number down.’

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: ‘I am delighted to be working with the Mayor of Toronto and the C40 cities in recognition of my commitment for London to play a significant role in reduce carbon emissions, and tackle climate change. London is a world leader in this area, and I am determined to see that the expertise and innovation being developed here is shared with cities around the world. Equally, I see many excellent ideas coming from others cities that we want to learn much more about - I have already committed to introduce a public bike hire scheme in London similar to that developed in Paris, another C40 city. Cities across the world share the common threat of climate change, and cities create most of the carbon emissions that are causing it, so it is vital we continue to work together to accelerate action on this issue.’

The C40 was set up in 2005 with the aim to accelerate cities' programmes to combat climate change. The C40 cities have pledged to work together, to share best practice and to take action in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In order to achieve this, the C40 entered into a partnership arrangement with the Clinton Climate Initiative in 2006 to develop programmes that would that would help cities drive forward action.

Ira Magaziner, Chairman of the Clinton Climate Initiative, said: ‘The Clinton Climate Initiative is proud to serve as the exclusive implementing partner of the C40. We look forward to working with Mayor Miller, Mayor Johnson, and the other C40 mayors to dramatically reduce urban greenhouse gas emissions.’

Ends

Notes to Editors

• The C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group is comprised of the following cities: Addis Ababa, Athens, Bangkok, Beijing, Berlin, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Caracas, Chicago, Delhi, Dhaka, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Houston, Istanbul, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Karachi, Lagos, Lima, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Melbourne, Mexico City, Moscow, Mumbai, New York, Paris, Philadelphia, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, Toronto, Tokyo, and Warsaw.
• London initiated the C40 group in 2005, and held the Chair of the C40 group from 2005 - June 2008.

For more information:

Toronto: Stuart Green, Deputy Director of Communications
Office of Mayor David Miller

Pager: 416-338-7119
Email: stugreen@toronto.ca

London: Hilary Merrett or Helen Collier in the Mayor’s Press Office – environmentdesk@london.gov.uk