The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) is the world’s largest alliance for city climate leadership with over 12,500 signatories, across 144 countries. Over 1 billion people – one person in every eight – lives in a city or local government that has that is committed to GCoM.
In 2022, the GCoM cities and local governments – like the rest of the world – have experienced multiple simultaneous crises relating to escalating inflation, unemployment, disruption to food and other resource supplies, the continuing impact of COVID—19 and more. This report particularly focuses on how the GCoM cities are responding to the interlinked crises of dramatic spikes in energy prices combined with ever more extreme weather events.
The current crises, global and local challenges have the potential to be a catalyst for transformational change. Drawing on the findings, this report calls for cities, national governments, civil society and the private sector to come together to accelerate bold and ambitious climate action by sharing best-practice, harnessing co-benefits, increasing collaboration and funding energy retrofit.
GCoM, the regional covenants and all our partners continue to energize city climate action.
With climate mitigation targets that are projected to reduce global emissions by 4.1 GtCO2e in 2050, equivalent to 80 percent of USA’s yearly GtCO2 emissions, GCoM cities are demonstrating that they are already taking action. Additionally this year, cities have reported hundreds of thousands of practical actions to improve energy efficiency, invest in renewable energy generation, address energy access, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Specific data reported by the cities highlight the unprecedented growing awareness of the risks and vulnerabilities posed by climate change. The number of completed assessment steps for earning the adaptation badge increased by more than 67%.
GCoM Signatory Reported Climate Hazards
More than 800 cities from the GCoM alliance – representing 340 million people – report that they are facing high-risk climate impact. 42 percent of the cities reporting hazards indicate energy as a vulnerable sector. Global energy infrastructure underpins the majority of the critical infrastructure that supports urban life, including transport networks, ICT services, water and wastewater distribution, healthcare and emergency services. When energy supplies are compromised, the resilience of a city can be dangerously undermined. The report also details the five high-risk hazards affecting the energy sector by region.
AN ALLIANCE DRIVEN BY THE EFFORTS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL COVENANTS
Commit to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy
GCoM cities are united in their shared goals to increase access to renewable, clean energy, build healthy environments, and promote initiatives and best practices that will accelerate the fight against climate change. Together, we will show the collective impact of cities and local governments, and be a force in realizing our vision to achieve a sustainable future.