declarAtion OF PARIS
on climate change and local governments
Executive BUREAU of united cities and local governments
Paris, 16 march 2007
1. Mayors and representatives of local governments from five continents, members of the Executive Bureau of United Cities and Local Governments, (UCLG), meeting in Paris on the 16th of March 2007, have debated extensively on the consequences of climate change on cities and regions.
2. They stressed the urgent need to launch effective actions against climate change which compromises the future of their populations and creates direct problems such as access to water resources, an increasing risk of flooding, and an overall increase in health related risks for their citizens. Local governments need to act jointly, decisively and globally in order to counteract these phenomena.
3. Recognizing the responsibility of cities in this matter, they have noted mobilization by many local governments in different regions of the world. Many local authorities have committed to reduce greenhouse emissions and to support environmental protection. (Agreement of American Mayors on Climate Protection, C40, Large Cities Climate Leadership Group, and Council of Mayors of the World on the Climatic Change).
4. They welcome the recent decision taken by the European Union on March, 8th and 9th, regarding the reduction of greenhouse gases and the use of renewable energies. They call on industrialised countries and multilateral bodies to respect the Kyoto Protocol, to mobilize funds, to face the consequences of the environmental changes related to global warming; to direct these funds to developing countries; especially local governments; to create mechanisms of financial, technical environmental and social compensation for cities and villages that suffer from the impact of climate change. They request corporations to commit actively to these actions and support these initiatives.
5. The UCLG Executive Bureau invites local governments and their network to work jointly allowing UCLG their World Organization to better coordinate the different actions and enhance their impact. They are committed to promote research and implementing energy efficient programmes in mobility, housing, equipment and environment management policies. Thousands of local authorities of the world members of UCLG should be able to have access to local governments’ initiatives and best practices.
6. It is proposed that UCLG, as the most representative world organisation of local governments, with cities networks be recognised as a full-fledged partner within the Parties Conference in the Kyoto Protocol negotiations. It is agreed to hold a session on the role that local governments can play on climate change during the World Congress of UCLG that will be celebrated from the 28 to the 31 of October of 2007 in Jeju (South Korea).
