Cities around the world are critical to addressing the climate crisis and limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C: the only viable “science-based” target we have. The IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5ºC released last October made it clear that even 2°C of warming would massively increase food insecurity, water shortages, poverty and take a devastating toll on human health. Equipped with a strong network of leading cities around the world, C40 mayors are committed to creating a more sustainable future for all and are ready for the task ahead.
C40’s Participation Standards are guidelines for our members. In addition to setting an ambitious target for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, C40 cities are required to conduct a climate risk assessment and develop an ambitious climate action plan with tangible plans and initiatives to meet their target. C40 cities are also asked to actively share best practice examples with other cities as a means of accelerating climate action and actively participate in other C40 activities.
After evaluating city participation in 2018, it is our privilege to officially recognize the cities that performed best in each region over the course of the year. We have selected three leading cities per region based on their extraordinary commitment to taking urgent action and building a greener and more prosperous future (listed in alphabetic order below).
We sincerely congratulate these best performing cities in each region and encourage all cities to continue taking bold, ambitious action. We look forward to working with each of our C40 member cities on new initiatives, activities and events throughout 2019.