Cities are critical: C40 reacts to the UN Pact for the Future

The Pact was released today by the UN Secretary-General at the Summit of the Future in New York City

The Pact for the Future agreed at the United Nations this week is further confirmation that consigning fossil fuels to history is the only way to tackle the climate crisis. The agreement made among nation-states makes clear that cities and local leaders are critical to climate progress and we now need to see these words turned into worldwide climate action.

If we do not, the world will have again missed an opportunity to address one of the biggest threats to global security, poverty, and the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals.

As the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said at the Pact's agreement: "We've now unlocked the door, it is our common responsibility to walk through it - this requires not just agreement but action."

Just this week, C40 research revealed that millions of additional climate migrants are predicted to arrive in Global South cities by 2050 if emissions don't fall.

The continued use of fossil fuels endangers the only planet that we call home, contaminates the air we breathe, and pollutes the water we drink - all while fossil fuel companies are reporting record profits.

Action is vital and urgent. As C40 has stated and the Pact makes clear, we need to see the billions of dollars in fossil fuel subsidies rapidly redirected into scaling up activities to reduce emissions, and create a just transition that delivers clean and affordable energy and good jobs for all - initiatives that C40 member cities are already doing.

We are pleased to see the Pact recognise that working with cities and across all levels of government and society is the only way to meet these challenges and protect the lives and livelihoods of current and future generations.

We wholeheartedly welcome the proposal for the United Nations Secretary-General to make recommendations on how cities, local and regional governments can help the world's sustainable development and climate goals go faster, further, and be fairer for everyone.

C40 Cities and our mayors are ready to play our part.

Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities said: "The Pact for the Future confirms what we all know: that a future free of fossil fuels is the only way to turn the corner on the climate crisis and that cities and local leaders are critical to climate progress. We now need to see these words turned into worldwide climate action.

"The next step must not be a reliance on so-called transition fuels, gas or fanciful future technologies. We need rapid action on the commitment to direct the billions of dollars in public subsidies away from fossil fuels that do not support a just transition or tackle energy poverty. These funds must instead be spent scaling up actions - such as those C40 cities are working on now - to reduce emissions, create jobs and make a sustainable future for all.

"I look forward to seeing the UN and nation-states act on the Pact's agreement to work with cities and in partnership across all levels of government and society. As the Pact affirms, this is the only way to meet the challenges of the climate crisis and protect the lives and livelihoods of current and future generations."