A new steering committee for the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in Oceania (GCoM) has met for the first time.
The committee, comprising the mayors and governors of 12 cities in Australia, New Zealand and PNG, aims to boost collaboration between cities, local governments and community partners globally to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while adapting to a changing climate.
The GCoM is the world’s largest global network of local councils taking action on climate change, linking mayors across 120 countries.
Additional members, including peak local government associations and other partners, will also soon be invited to join the Committee.
“The Oceania region is a unique mix of the highest per capita emitters in the world and communities most impacted by climate change,” Newcastle Lord Mayor and committee chair Nuatali Nelmes said.
“It’s extremely important that we work together across the region to achieve concrete sustainability and low emission outcomes.”
“Our collective priorities for the next year are to grow the GCoM network, build powerful partnerships with aligned organisations, and advocate to governments to support city climate action,” Cr Nelmes said.
ICLEI Oceania is the GCoM regional secretariat and is inviting all local councils are invited to become a signatory to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy.