The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) was launched last week in Port of Spain, Trinidad during the Caribbean Urban Forum (CUF) of 2019.
The city of Georgetown was represented by Mayor Ubraj Narine.
The launch saw the mayors of Trinidad represented by the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Local Government Authorities TTALGA along with the mayors of Belmopan (Belize), Georgetown (Guyana), Portsmouth (Dominica) and May Pen (Jamaica) take the initiative in agreeing to take action on climate change by joining the GCoM. The Association of Local Government Authorities of Jamaica (ALGAJ) also signed a letter of intent to join the GCoM as Regional Coordinator, providing strategic guidance and support to local governments in the country.
Being part of GCoM signifies an increase in the level of commitment to the development of sustainability policies in members’ areas, with a focus on the achievement of the Paris Agreement goals at the local level.
According to a GCoM release, the organisation is the largest global coalition of cities and local governments voluntarily committed to actively combatting climate change and transitioning to a low- carbon and climate resilient economy. It is led by UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Action, Michael R. Bloomberg, and European Commission Vice President, Maroš Šefčovič in partnership with local, regional and global city networks.
The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy in Latin America and the Caribbean (GCoM-LAC) is the chapter for Latin America and the Caribbean in the Global Covenant of Mayors and its mandate is to support the efforts of local governments in the region to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and make their communities more resilient toward the effects of climate change. The implementation of GCoM-LAC is supported by the International Urban Cooperation Program (IUC), funded by the European Union.
According to President of the Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA) and TTALGA, Anthony Roberts, “Climate change effects such as increased temperature and the increase in proliferation of adverse weather conditions has put Local Government entities at the forefront of climate change. Hence, through means such as increased awareness, Local Government entities must advocate for climate change policy and promote the adherence to changes that will meaningfully reduce climate change devastation locally.”
The Ambassador of the European Union to Trinidad and Tobago, Aad Biesebroek in his remarks stated, “We very much welcome the Mayors of Latin America and the Caribbean to this very important climate and energy efficiency initiative. Cities are an integral part of climate action and Mayors can contribute to meaningful change. The EU believes that we need to work hand in hand with cities around the world to reach our common climate goals. We encourage mayors to keep leading the way and through the ‘International Urban Cooperation Programme’ (IUC) the EU will continue to provide support.”
The Global Covenant of Mayors comes to the Caribbean at a particularly important time for the region, which faces the threat of the effects of climate change and natural disasters and where 60 per cent of its biodiversity is currently at risk. These are challenges that have to be met despite having limited resources. Through the regional chapter, and as delivered by local and global city network partners, the Global Covenant of Mayors will offer technical support and training, and work with signatory cities and sub-national authorities in the Caribbean to plan and implement climate initiatives more effectively, the release added.
