Continuing the work from previous years, the members of the National Advisory Committee of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in Chile gathered remotely on the morning of Wednesday, June 9, to kick off the efforts in Chile during the new implementation phase of the Covenant in the region.
The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy is a powerful and historic response to climate change by cities worldwide. The Covenant has become the largest alliance against climate change, reducing its inevitable impacts and facilitating access to clean and affordable energy. Built with the commitment of over 10,000 cities globally, this alliance strengthens the climate capacities and actions of local governments and sub-national authorities.
With the participation of representatives from the Delegation of the European Union in Chile, Adapt-Chile, the Chilean Association of Municipalities, the Ministry of Housing and Urbanism (MINVU), the Ministry of the Environment (MMA), the Energy Sustainability Agency (ASE), the Undersecretariat of Regional and Administrative Development (SUBDERE), and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL), the National Advisory Committee (CCN) of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in Chile met remotely.
This marks the first official activity since the Chilean Association of Municipalities (AChM) took over the responsibility of chairing the Committee last August. This meeting formalized the presidency of the National Advisory Committee and the new leadership position of the AChM for the implementation of the initiative in Chile. The AChM also serves as the National Coordinator of the Covenant in the country, alongside Adapt Chile.
The purpose of this committee is to unite efforts at the local, national, and regional levels to develop a work strategy to achieve the Covenant’s objectives in line with Chile’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The committee aligns Covenant activities and progress with the National Government and links the Covenant to other national programs related to Climate Change.
Fernando Paredes Mansilla, Mayor of Natales and President of the AChM, expressed gratitude for the trust placed by the CCN members in choosing an organization to lead it. He emphasized the importance of this Committee for networked collaboration with a territorial focus. Paredes highlighted the Association’s 28-year history and its representation, which extends to over 90% of Chilean municipalities.
Marja Edelman, Latin America specialist for the Project supporting the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in the Americas, funded by the European Union, gave a presentation on the new GCoM Americas program, its objectives, and priorities for 2021. Considering the capacities and needs identified in Chile, Marja emphasized the importance of this committee in providing support to local governments in Chile to further advance in their climate trajectories and the stages proposed by the Covenant. In this regard, the program proposes that committed local governments develop, respecting predetermined deadlines, greenhouse gas emissions inventories, climate risk assessments, and set goals and action plans that include both mitigation and adaptation.
The National Coordinators, Cristián Gutiérrez on behalf of ADAPT Chile and Rodrigo Arias on behalf of the AChM, previewed what to expect for this period’s work with a new national governance structure. This includes the implementation of a series of dissemination, training, and joint work activities, alignment of national and local strategies, determination of a path towards COP26, and the inclusion of new members in the CCN.
Members reacted positively to the proposals, expressing their interest and commitment to the Committee and its agenda. Susana Aguero, Cooperation Officer of the Delegation of the European Union in Chile, reinforced the importance of supporting this alliance at a crucial moment for Chile amid the climate emergency, and continuing the multilateral and multilevel work, reflecting the shared collective spirit at the end of the meeting.
Currently, 11 municipalities in Chile, plus one region, are committed members of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. These include the Municipalities of Santiago, Peñalolen, Vitacura, Providencia, Independencia, Temuco, San Pedro de la Paz, Calera de Tango, Cerro Navia, Valparaíso, and Maipú, and the Metropolitan Region of Santiago.
Municipalities and local governments committed to the Covenant are agents of change and leaders in climate action. They gain access to more and better opportunities to finance local climate and energy projects and enjoy high recognition and international visibility regarding climate and energy action.
Learn how to join the Covenant! Check for more information on our website at https://pactodealcaldes-la.org/sumese/ or write to us at [email protected].
