I’m finally settling in after my return from Los Angeles for the U.S.-China Climate Leaders Summit, inspired and optimistic about the actions cities are taking as we approach the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris this December.
At the Summit, I was fortunate enough to meet with leaders from all over the U.S. and China to share best practices. Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles and Mayor Annise Parker of Houston both stressed that these summits give cities great opportunities to “borrow and rebrand” successful initiatives. I was proud to see other cities implementing projects we’ve done and excited to evaluate how we can emulate successful initiatives from our fellow cities.
During the Summit, Mayor Walsh announced the City of Boston’s pledge to the Compact of Mayors, fortifying Boston’s commitment to climate action and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a global scale. The Compact unites cities with a common goal to drive climate action, building on Boston’s continued commitment through its existing Climate Action Plan.
For more on the Mayor joining the Compact of Mayors committed to climate action, read here.
In the Summit’s closing session, Vice President Biden praised Mayor Walsh and Boston’s commitment to climate action, specifically calling on our achievements in energy efficiency by being the first city in the U.S. to adopt green building zoning requirements. As the Vice President continued in his remarks, he echoed the urgent need for more to lead by example and take climate action.
This kind of energy is exactly what we need on the short road ahead to COP21, where leaders from nearly 200 countries will meet to discuss the complex issue of climate action on a global scale. Given this momentum I’m certainly optimistic and can guarantee Boston’s commitment to being a leader in action.
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