The Global Covenant of Mayors in the Americas Shines at OpenHouse 2024
February 28, 2024, Brussels (Belgium) – The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) in the Americas made a significant impact at the 2024 GCoM OpenHouse, held in Brussels. This annual event, organized by the GCoM Global Secretariat, is a gathering of all Global Covenant, of all regions across the world, in which Regional Secretariats and partners foster an exchange of strategies, perspectives, and coordination of efforts in local climate action.
Representing the GCoM in the Americas were Hélinah Cardoso, Regional Director; Elise Àbbes, Governance Expert; and Belén Jiménez, Technical Advisor, who showcased remarkable achievements and outcomes of the Global Covenant of Mayors in the Americas in 2023.
The event concluded with an engaging roundtable, during which attendees provided suggestions and comments for the GCoM Americas workplan for 2024. This session underscored the collective commitment of all GCoM regions to advance the fight against climate change and the strength of the GCoM alliance to promote climate action via its partnership with leading institutions.
General Achievements of the GCoM in the Americas:
The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in the Americas has witnessed substantial growth and success in its climate action commitment in recent years.
Across the Americas, 944 cities have actively committed to the alliance, impacting a combined population of 315 million inhabitants. Additionally, there was an 11% increase in the number of cities joining the GCoM in the Americas in 2023, showcasing the continuous momentum of American cities in the local climate action movement.
This commitment has been bolstered by national and regional programs that supported over 200 cities in 2023 with support to develop Climate Action Plans and bankable projects. Significant efforts have been dedicated to enhancing cities’ technical capacities in planning and implementing climate actions, with a focus on developing Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) and financing climate projects. Collaboration with over 20 partner institutions throughout the Americas region has further strengthened these endeavors.
GCoM USA
In the United States, the Global Covenant of Mayors is actively leveraging the dense collaboration space within the region and capitalizing on recent government incentives, such as the “Inflation Reduction Act” (IRA), to drive local climate action. Working in cooperation with key partners, we are committed to supporting a select group of cities in developing bankable and implementation-ready climate projects. This initiative aims to harness the collective potential of communities across the nation, fostering tangible solutions that contribute to our shared environmental goals and pave the way for a more sustainable future.
About the GCoM:
The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy is the largest alliance of cities and local governments committed to climate action and the transition to a more sustainable future, supported in the Americas by the European Union.
Through active collaboration among cities, institutions, and communities, we are forging a more sustainable and resilient future for all, continuing our tireless efforts to promote climate action, strengthen local governance, and protect our environment for present and future generations. Together, we are propelling change towards a more sustainable world.