News

World Cities Tackling Climate Change
Third summit held in Seoul, Korea

18-21st May 2009

May 19, 2009 – Seoul - The Third Summit of the C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group opened today in Seoul, Korea.

The opening ceremony featured Mayor David Miller of Toronto, Chair of the C40, Mayor Oh Se Hoon of Seoul and President Bill Clinton addressing representatives from 70 global cities about the role that cities are playing in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The four-day Summit will provide opportunities for cities to discuss climate concerns under the theme of Cities´ Achievements and Challenges in the Fight against Climate Change.  At the Summit, major cities, which are one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions, will explore issues such as climate change and the economic crisis; low-carbon cities; sustainable city developments; and increasing ‘green’ energy use. 

The C40 is a group of the world’s largest cities already taking action on climate change. It holds its biennial summit to share best practices, build networks, identify collaborative projects and chart future actions to help tackle climate change. The Clinton Climate Initiative, a project of the William J. Clinton Foundation, became the delivery partner of the C40 in 2006.

“Cities have major opportunities to address climate change and, in doing so, create jobs, stimulate the economy, and fulfill our obligation to future generations to protect the world they will inherit from us,” said President Clinton.  “Already through my Foundation’s work with some of the largest cities in the world, we’ve explored opportunities to initiate more than 250 retrofit projects, representing more than 500 square feet of building space in more than 20 cities. This Summit will enable cities to exchange more ideas on the best ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that will also have a positive impact on economic growth.”

“Cities are leading the fight against climate change,” said Mayor Miller. “But given that cities account for nearly 80% of GHG emissions, national governments must engage, empower and resource their cities so that together we can do more to combat climate change.”

 Mayor Oh Se Hoon of Seoul and C40 Summit Host said, “The issue of climate change is a more challenging one and requires more efforts and swifter action than these economic issues. What makes us even more desperate is the fact that the result of our action will decide the future of humankind. As you may all agree, we are here today to turn that desperation into hope.”

The Climate Change Expo will also be held concurrently to the C40 Summit, to offer visitors the latest in climate change related technologies and global trends in various industries, technologies and business sectors.

 

A selection of images from the C40 Summit will be available on: www.webhard.net, please use this ID (c40seoul) and password (media) to log in the website.