President Bill Clinton and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg have announced the expanded alliance between the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) and the Cities Program of the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI).
Mayor Bloomberg serves as the Chair of the C40.
The joining of these two organizations brings significant resources and infrastructure that will bolster both the CCI and C40 organizations and position the combined effort as one of the pre-eminent climate policy organizations in the world.
President Clinton and Mayor Bloomberg stated that the decision to combine these two powerful entities and expand the C40 was driven by the belief that cities are one of the greatest drivers of climate change action.
As a result the C40 will:
* Expand the number of participating cities
* Double the budget of the C40/CCI Cities
* Restructure the organization so cities can share best practices and tackle issues collectively
While cities only occupy 2% of the Earth’s land mass, they contain over 50% of its population, use two-thirds of its energy and generate over 70% of its carbon emissions.
Many leading climate experts and advocates agree that cities are strongly positioned to generate real change and with global protocols and treaties unable to impact significant reforms, C40 has the opportunity to lead, organize and share successes on a local level that can have a meaningful global impact.
"This new structure to the C40, combined with the additional resources, is exactly what I need to help drive sustainable climate policy initiatives in Sao Paulo," said Sao Paulo Mayor Gilberto Kassab.
"I am pleased and honored to be here with my friend President Clinton. He has been a life-long champion of climate initiatives and I can think of no greater partner in this effort," said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.
"There is no single solution for solving global climate change and President Clinton and I agree that one of the most efficient methods of reducing carbon emissions is to focus on large cities around the world.
“The Clinton Climate Initiative Cities Program and C40 have been collaborating with large cities and now, as one organization supported by additional resources we can bring proven ideas to market and have a significant impact worldwide. This stronger alliance with the Clinton Climate Initiative Cities Program now positions the C40 to be a critical leader on climate-related initiatives."
"Cities around the world play an essential role in addressing climate change. I’ve been honored by the progress that we have achieved since 2006, when my Foundation was invited to assist 40 of the largest cities in the world with energy efficient buildings, improved transportation, outdoor lighting, and waste management," said President Clinton, "Together we are proving it is possible to create jobs and grow economies through reduced emissions. By combining forces with the C40, I believe the CCI Cities Program can continue to expand this work and make an even greater impact."
The Mayor also announced that the fourth biennial C40 Summit will take place in Sao Paulo from May 31 to June 2, bringing together Mayors from leading cities around the world. Further details will be disclosed in the coming weeks. Both President Clinton and Mayor Bloomberg will attend the summit and give keynote addresses. World Bank President Robert Zoellick will be participating in the summit.
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