2023
C40 Cities
The C40 Annual Report 2023 offers an insightful overview of the organization's initiatives aimed at combating climate change through city-led actions. Authored by C40 Cities, a global alliance of nearly 100 mayors, the report emphasizes the urgent need for transformative action in the wake of unprecedented global heating and escalating climate-related disasters. In aligning its work with two core missions—phasing out fossil fuels and enhancing urban resilience—the report outlines the critical role cities play in addressing the climate crisis while promoting equity. Among the key findings, the report highlights strategic sub-missions that bolster C40's advocacy efforts, such as demonstrating the environmental impacts of fossil gas, establishing low-emission transport zones, and creating 50 million green jobs by 2030. The report showcases major initiatives launched in 2023, including the "Breathe Cities" campaign aimed at improving air quality and the establishment of youth networks to engage young people in climate action. Furthermore, cities like Bogotá and Rio de Janeiro are noted for their ambitious climate action plans and renewable energy projects. C40's commitment to inclusive climate action is also underscored, with initiatives addressing structural inequalities. The report concludes with a forward-looking perspective, as C40 prepares to develop a new strategy for 2025–2030, aiming to halve emissions and ensure a just energy transition. Overall, the report underscores the pivotal role of cities in leading global efforts to mitigate climate change while fostering resilience and innovation.
The C40 Annual Report 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the organization's efforts to combat climate change through city-led initiatives. It was authored by C40 Cities, a global network of nearly 100 mayors from leading cities, and published in 2023. The report highlights key achievements, challenges, and strategies for addressing the climate crisis while promoting equity and resilience.
Context
C40 Cities focuses on empowering urban areas to lead the fight against climate change by implementing science-based policies and fostering collaboration. In 2023, the organization consolidated its work around two primary missions:
- Phasing out fossil fuels to mitigate climate breakdown.
- Addressing the impacts and inequities of climate change by enhancing urban resilience and equity.
The report was released in a year marked by unprecedented global heating, surpassing the 1.5°C threshold for an entire year, and increasing climate-related disasters. It underscores the urgency for transformative action at the city level.
Key Findings
Strategic Missions and Sub-Missions
C40's two core missions are supported by four critical sub-missions:
- Demonstrating that fossil gas is nearly as harmful as coal.
- Establishing low or zero-emission transport zones.
- Unlocking investments for urban climate projects.
- Creating 50 million good, green jobs by 2030.
These priorities guide C40's advocacy and policy efforts globally.
Major Initiatives and Achievements
- Air Quality Improvement: The launch of "Breathe Cities" in 2023 aimed to improve air quality in 11 cities worldwide, including London, Nairobi, and Milan.
- Youth Engagement: Two youth networks were established to involve young people in climate action, alongside initiatives like "Students Reinventing Cities."
- Urban Climate Action: Cities like Bogotá and Warsaw adopted ambitious climate action plans aligned with the Paris Agreement goals.
- Energy Transition: Cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba led renewable energy projects, including municipal power purchase agreements and solar farms.
- Building Decarbonization: Boston issued an executive order eliminating fossil fuels in new municipal buildings, while Beijing implemented green construction regulations.
- Food Systems: COP28 emphasized sustainable urban food systems, with Barcelona launching a collaborative agreement involving public and private stakeholders.
- Waste Management: The "LOW-Methane" initiative targeted methane reductions in cities like Mumbai and Durban through innovative waste management practices.
- Urban Planning: The "15-Minute City" model gained traction, with cities like Rome implementing projects to improve local accessibility to essential services.
Inclusive Climate Action
C40 expanded its Inclusive Climate Action Programme to address structural inequalities while tackling climate challenges. Notable projects included:
- Supporting informal waste workers in Accra.
- Enhancing resilience for people with disabilities in Vancouver during heatwaves.
The Women4Climate Mentorship Programme also empowered over 1,000 women leaders globally.
Green Jobs Creation
C40 cities collectively created over 14 million green jobs across sectors like waste management, energy, transportation, and construction. Johannesburg trained officials on green building policies to support local job creation.
Governance and Leadership
C40 is co-chaired by Sadiq Khan (Mayor of London) and Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr (Mayor of Freetown). The organization is governed by a Steering Committee of mayors representing diverse regions and supported by philanthropic funding from partners like Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Future Outlook
As C40's business plan concludes in 2024, the organization aims to develop a new strategy for 2025–2030 to achieve its goals of halving emissions by 2030 and ensuring a just energy transition. It also plans to scale up initiatives like climate budgeting, urban nature accelerators, and renewable energy adoption.
This report underscores the pivotal role of cities in leading global efforts to mitigate climate change while fostering equity, resilience, and innovation.