為了對抗氣候變遷，23日在聯合國總部舉行的聯合國秘書長氣候高峰會上，來自世界各地的城市組成了全球性的「市長聯盟（Compact of Mayors）」，將以全新且符合國際規範的標準衡量系統，讓城市承諾大幅減少溫室氣體排放、公開既有目標、計畫與年度進度報告。
結盟現有三大城市網絡 「市長聯盟」誕生
聯合國秘書長潘基文和前紐約市長、現任聯合國城市與氣候變遷特使彭博宣布，市長聯盟將在聯合國都市議題主管機關，聯合國人居署（UN-Habitat）的協助下，和全球三大城市網絡締結為合作夥伴：C40城市氣候變遷領導小組、地方政府永續發展理事會（ICLEI）和城市與地方政府聯盟（United Cities and Local Governments，UCLG）。
其中ICLEI就代表遍及88國，超過1,000個國際都市、城市、都會區和鄉鎮，6億6千萬以上的居民。在市長聯盟架構下，當地碳排資料將透過城市既有的平台蒐集，透過ICLEI的碳氣候管理局平台公布。
超級城市佔高碳排量 市長聯盟提供減碳支援
大都市的溫室氣體排放量佔了全球總量的70%，在減排和強化氣候韌性上扮演重要角色。市長聯盟將協助區域、國家和金融機構深入瞭解當地氣候行動的潛在影響力，如何提供支援，如資助大眾交通系統或能源效率措施。
整體而言，城市網絡將讓數千城市加入市長聯盟，註冊溫室氣體藏量、氣候適應及衝擊減緩計畫和目標。
許多城市正致力改善氣候變遷適應力並設立嚴格減排目標，2050年減少40%、70%甚至100%者都有。整體而言，這些措施對於顯著減少全球溫室氣體排放和確保居民、基礎建設和環境安全至關重要。
各方新研究顯示，目前各城市的減排承諾如果實現的話，到了2020年每年能減少4億5千4百萬噸二氧化碳當量，到了2050年總共可減少13億噸二氧化碳當量。
To combat climate change, a global Compact of Mayors from cities across the world was launched today at the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Summit today at UN Headquarters.
Cities are currently responsible for about 70 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and can play a critical role in reducing these emissions and strengthening resilience.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, now UN Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, announced that the Compact of Mayors’ key partners are the world’s three preeminent global city networks: C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, and the United Cities and Local Governments, with support from the UN’s lead agency on urban issues, UN-Habitat.
The Compact will enable cities to publicly commit to deep greenhouse gas emissions reductions; make existing targets and plans public; and report on their progress annually, using a newly-standardized measurement system that is compatible with international practices.
ICLEI represents more than 1,000 metropolises, cities, urban regions and towns that are home to more than 660 million people in 88 countries.
Many cities are now setting bolder targets of slashing 40, 70, or even 100 percent of their greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and improving climate change resilience.
Collectively, they will be crucial in delivering substantial cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring the safety of their citizens, infrastructure and environment.
New research by the parties to the Compact shows that existing city commitments alone could reduce annual emissions by 454 megatons of CO2 equivalent in 2020 and a total of 13 gigatons CO2e by 2050.
The Compact will help regions, nations and financial institutions better understand the potential impact of local climate actions, and where they can offer support, such as funding much-needed mass transit systems or energy-efficiency measures.
Under the Compact, local emissions data will be collected through existing city platforms, and will be made publically available through ICLEI’s platform, the Carbon Climate Registry.
Together, city networks will engage thousands of cities to join the Compact of Mayors and to register their greenhouse gas inventories, climate adaptation and mitigation plans and targets.
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
