The Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and the philanthropic association Realdania, are to boost work on climate solutions in the global C40 cities network. With significant contributions and a stronger strategic partnership between Denmark and C40, cities around the world will have better opportunities to deliver on the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals to benefit the climate and people in cities.
Rasmus Prehn, Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, has entered into strategic cooperation with C40 and has earmarked DKK 67 mill. (USD 10 mill.) over a five-year period for the network in the 2020 Finance Bill. The contribution will focus on climate initiatives in cities in developing countries, especially in Africa.
Realdania is also strengthening its existing partnership with C40, and in the same period the association will be contributing around DKK 170 mill. (USD 25 mill.) to C40. Realdania has also earmarked DKK 20 mill. to ensure that knowledge and experience from C40 cities can be used in Denmark to benefit Danish cities and municipalities.
The overall strategic partnership is coming at a crucial moment in C40's work. Cities’ ambitious climate plans are now being translated into action and genuine results for people and for the world. By coordinating their efforts, the Danish Government and Realdania are reinforcing the total Danish support for C40. It is a public-private partnership to benefit the climate, Denmark and the world’s poor.
“Developing countries are particularly exposed to the consequences of climate change. African cities are particularly vulnerable as a result of rapid urbanization. With the contribution of DKK 67 million as part of the government's Finance Bill and our new strategic partnership with C40 Cities, we want to boost climate solutions in the world’s great cities,” said Rasmus Prehn
In recent years, cities outside the C40 Network have also started to use C40's standards and tools in their climate work. The proposed Danish support over the next five years will also enhance opportunities for smaller cities throughout the world to take advantage of the tools developed by C40. For example, 20 municipalities are part of the DK2020 initiative supported by Realdania, in which Danish municipalities are following in the tracks of C40 cities and drawing up binding climate plans.
Jesper Nygård, CEO, Realdania, stresses that it is vital to share knowledge and solutions between small and large cities throughout the world.
“The large cities in the C40 network are essential to reverse the trend of destructive climate change. But to achieve our objectives in full, we must have all cities with us – large and small. I’m extremely proud that now, together with the Danish Government, we can ensure that the work of the C40 can enter a completely new and even more action-oriented phase. I’m also proud that we can make sure that international knowledge benefits Danish cities and municipalities as much as possible."
“Denmark and Danish cities are standing front and center in advancing global climate action by strengthening the work, security, and futures of cities on the front lines of the climate crisis,” said Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles and Chair-Elect of C40 Cities. “This new support for C40 ensures that leaders throughout Africa and across the globe have the resources and tools to protect their environment, bolster their economies, and build a more sustainable tomorrow.”