C40 Cities and Bloomberg Philanthropies announced the names of the 20 cities finalists for the award dedicated to projects to improve the urban climate of the near future
The winners will be announced on 19 October at the C40 mayors’ summit in Buenos Aires
(Sustainabilityenvironment.com) – An innovative, resilient and inclusive future. This is how the cities of tomorrow see the 20 finalists of the award reserved for the most ambitious projects that address the consequences of the global crisis on the urban climate.
The C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards brought together mayors from around the world in a joint effort to find shared solutions to common problems. The five award categories align with the chosen team for this edition, “United in Action” and are:
The awards focus on five categories that align with this year’s theme, United in Action:
- United to accelerate immediate action in critical sectors
- United to clean the air we breathe
- United in building climate resilience
- United to innovate
- United in building a climate movement
As many as 70 cities have responded to the call by applying for participation. While the finalists were then chosen on the basis of six basic criteria: immediate climate impact, expected climate impact, wider benefits, innovation, collaboration, as well as sharing and scaling
The winners will have identified the right project that will allow intervening concretely in the urban climate, improving the quality of life of the highest possible number of citizens.
“Congratulations to all of the C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards finalists on your bold and innovative project submissions,” said Sadiq Khan, Chair of C40 Cities and the Mayor of London. “Cities, local leaders and mayors are leading the way when it comes to tackling the climate emergency and by harnessing their ambition and vision, we can help cities around the world become greener, fairer and more sustainable.”
Pragmatic action to address urban climate today
It’s interesting to note that two-thirds of the finalist projects come from countries in the southern hemisphere, six of which are based in Latin America, where the next world summit of C40 mayors will be held.
The projects presented have in common strong practicality and concreteness, showing that intervening and improving the urban climate of the cities in which we live, is not just theory.
Among the most widespread actions are reducing pollution through rapid deployment of electric public transport and creating green corridors. The active involvement of citizens to combat injustice and intervene on time. Great attention is also paid to the cities’ food program, starting first with children and schools. Last but not least, waste management and building efficiency.
“Innovative solutions to climate change are coming from bold and pragmatic mayors across the world, and it’s important to celebrate their successes,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, C40 Board President, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Ambition and Solutions, and Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies. “This year’s finalists are leading from the front, and if more public officials – at all levels – emulate their approach, we can improve public health, create jobs, and win the fight against climate change.”
The finalists will be announced on October 19 in Buenos Aires, at the C40 World Mayors Summit.
Discover the 20 finalist projects.
