U20 Summit in Rio Calls for Stronger National-Local Collaboration on Urban Climate Action
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The U20 Summit in Rio called for stronger national-local collaboration on climate action, urging G20 nations to allocate $800 billion annually for urban climate solutions by 2030. Over 70 mayors emphasised cities' roles in cutting emissions and tackling inequality. President Lula backed city leadership, and Rio expanded its Breathe Cities initiative to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions.
The U20 Summit, which concluded on 17 November in Rio de Janeiro, marked a pivotal moment in global climate discussions, with city leaders coming together to demand increased collaboration between local and national governments in addressing the climate crisis. The summit, a significant part of the C40 Cities network, witnessed over 70 mayors from around the world uniting to call for more robust investment in urban climate action and a stronger voice for cities in global climate negotiations ahead of the G20 Summit and COP29.
The U20 Summit highlighted the critical role that cities play in addressing climate change, inequality, and poverty. With cities responsible for over 75% of global emissions and housing two-thirds of the world's population by 2050, urban leadership was emphasised as vital to tackling the climate crisis. Leaders urged G20 nations to recognise the importance of cities as key partners in this fight, advocating for greater funding, particularly for vulnerable communities.
C40’s pre-summit polling revealed widespread public support for climate action in Brazil, with 95% of the population expressing concern about the climate crisis and 88% backing city-led climate initiatives. Mayor of Freetown and C40 Co-Chair, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, reinforced the message, saying, “As mayors of some of the greatest cities in the world, we are calling on global leaders gathering at G20 and COP29 to recognise that addressing the climate and inequality crises requires collaborating with us to scale up the ambitious action already happening in our cities.”
The U20 Summit’s call to action was clear: national governments must work more closely with cities to integrate urban climate solutions into national climate plans. The summit’s leaders urged governments to prioritise ambitious urban climate measures that are scalable, equitable, and people-centred.
Call for US$800 Billion Annually to Fund Urban Climate Action
One of the key outcomes of the summit was the call for a significant financial commitment to support urban climate solutions. Mayors and urban leaders demanded that national governments and development banks allocate at least US$800 billion annually by 2030 to fund climate measures in cities. This funding is seen as essential to scaling up city-led climate solutions such as low-emission transport, clean energy, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
The proposed investment would not only support healthier, more sustainable cities but also contribute to achieving the global climate goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C, as set out in the Paris Agreement. Additionally, projections show that such investment could yield economic returns of up to US$23.9 trillion by 2050, through job creation, cleaner energy, and sustainable housing. A key element of the proposal was the call for 40% of this funding to be directed towards low-income communities, workers, and vulnerable groups.
Paris Mayor and C40 Vice Chair, Anne Hidalgo, emphasised the urgency of the moment, stating, “To truly transform our cities and meet global climate goals, we need national governments and financial institutions to match our ambitions with real investment. Together, we can create cities that aren’t just resilient to climate change, but are vibrant, inclusive places where people thrive.”
Brazil’s President Lula Backs City Leadership at G20 Summit
As the U20 Summit came to a close, a significant moment occurred when Mayor Eduardo Paes of Rio de Janeiro handed over the U20 communiqué to Brazil’s President Lula da Silva. The communiqué highlighted the importance of cities in tackling global challenges like inequality and climate change and called for stronger collaboration between national governments and cities through initiatives like the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP).
In his address, President Lula praised cities for their leadership in tackling these crises and pledged to bring their message to the G20 Summit. He said, “C40 is committed to tackling the climate crisis and contributing to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees while building healthy, equitable and resilient communities. The voice of the cities needs to be heard and I am confident that the work of this U20 meeting will be very productive.”
The communiqué called for the development and delivery of national climate plans that involve cities and subnational leaders, alongside the endorsement of CHAMP to close the urban climate finance gap. It also called for at least US$800 billion of public investment annually and the earmarking of 40% of climate funding to support the communities and workers most affected by climate breakdown.
Rio’s Bold Commitment to Clean Air: The ‘Breathe Cities’ Initiative
A notable announcement at the summit came from Mayor Eduardo Paes, who revealed the expansion of the Breathe Cities initiative in Rio. This initiative, which aims to monitor air quality, raise public awareness about the health effects of pollution, and reduce emissions from transportation, will be expanded with the support of Brazil’s national government. The goal is to make Rio a global example of air quality improvement and carbon emission reduction.
Mayor Paes remarked, “Brazil has taken tremendous strides toward delivering climate solutions alongside municipalities and city leaders, which we hope to share as we welcome the world for COP30 next year. With the additional support and expertise of this global initiative, we are well-equipped to make substantial progress in enhancing air quality and reducing carbon emissions in our city.”
The Breathe Cities initiative, backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Clean Air Fund, and C40 Cities, is a global effort that helps cities track air pollution and shape policies to reduce pollution. The initiative’s expansion in Rio highlights the city’s commitment to climate solutions and public health.
A Collaborative Future: U20 Summit’s Legacy and Next Steps
The U20 Summit in Rio served as a powerful platform for mayors and urban leaders to voice their demands for increased collaboration with national governments on climate action. The summit’s message is clear: cities must be recognised as vital partners in tackling the climate crisis, and substantial investment is needed to support urban climate solutions.
With COP29 in full swing and the G20 Summit on the horizon, city leaders will continue to champion the cause of urban climate action, bringing their demands for increased funding, stronger collaboration, and a just transition to the global stage. The success of the U20 Summit underscores the importance of cities in achieving global climate goals and provides a roadmap for future action.
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