1000 CITIES Initiative Launch A Campaign To Urge City’s Leaders To Reject Fossil Fuels

The COP26 meeting made it clear the need for an urgent strategy to limit the impact of climate change. The world is, then, transitioning into a new era: a world no longer dependent on fossil fuels. That is what 1000 CITIES Initiative for Carbon Freedom is trying to achieve. The initiative is based on the idea that if 1000 cities around the world develop and implement ambitious climate action plans, the world will be able to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement and beyond. The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016. Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.

To achieve this long-term temperature goal, countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate neutral world by mid-century. The Paris Agreement is a landmark in the multilateral climate change process because, for the first time, a binding agreement brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects.

1000 CITIES Initiative for Carbon Freedom’s latest campaign, the 1000 Cities Campaign, is a call-to-action for citizens, cities and nations to reject fossil fuels and move to 100% renewable energy by 2040. “There is a global solution to climate change. If 1000 cities commit to leaving fossil fuels behind and transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2040, we can meet the Paris Agreement, and avoid the worst-case scenarios of our climate crisis,” said the organization. The 1000 CITIES Initiative for Carbon Freedom was launched in 2017 by Pathway to Paris at the United Nations Secretariat as a global solution to turning the Paris Agreement into action. The initiative is based on the idea that if 1000 cities around the world develop and implement ambitious climate action plans, we will achieve the targets of the Paris Agreement and beyond. We support cities in developing and implementing ambitious climate action plans. 1000 Cities is developing a global network advocating for a renewable world while connecting cities to the leading best practices and innovative financing mechanisms. Pathway to Paris’ annual concert in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and 350.org highlight 1000 cities and the best practices leading the way into a renewable future. “Our time is now. Let's unite as a planet to move towards a sustainable future for us all and future generations,” conclude the organization.