A global network of mayors taking urgent action to confront the climate crisis and create a future where everyone can thrive.

What we do today will determine whether or not there is a thriving future for our communities, our cities and the natural world around us. We know that climate breakdown and rising inequality, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, require an unprecedented response to match the scale of the crises. That’s why C40’s mission is to halve the emissions of its member cities within a decade, while improving equity, building resilience, and creating the conditions for everyone, everywhere to thrive.

Mayors of C40 cities are on the leading edge of climate action, and are deploying a science-based and collaborative approach to help the world limit global heating to 1.5°C and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities.

C40 member cities earn their membership through action. C40’s most distinguishing feature is that it operates on performance-based requirements, not membership fees. C40’s Leadership Standards set the minimum requirements for all member cities and ensure the integrity of C40 as a network of climate leaders.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present extraordinary challenges for people everywhere and our cities and communities may never again look the same. Cities and the mayors who lead them have been on the frontlines of responding to the crisis. C40 is working side-by-side with our mayors to secure a green and just recovery from the pandemic, one which both reduces city emissions and builds a more resilient and equitable future for all.

The pandemic has also shown us how quickly things can change: the way things are is not the way things have to be. Science tells us that we must cut emissions in half by 2030 to avoid runaway climate change. Nothing short of transformational change on a global scale is needed within the decade, but such a shift has never seemed more possible than it does right now.

Vision of C40 Cities

"Ours is a vision of climate action that is rooted in equity because we know that climate, social and economic justice can only be achieved together."

The change we need can be delivered through our Chair’s vision for a Global Green New Deal, where mayors are working alongside a broad coalition of representatives from labour, business, the youth climate movement and civil society to go further and faster than ever before. 

The Global Green New Deal is our essential blueprint for delivering climate justice and strong, fairer economies that serve everyone. An integral part of building thriving communities is ensuring that we have a sustainable and just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Collaboration has always been in C40’s DNA – in a crisis, it is needed more than ever. 

More details about the initiative here.