São Paulo, June 20, 2024. The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM), a project funded by the European Union in the Americas, launched the “Guide for Amazonian Cities: Preparing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories” during the panel “Amazonian Cities, unique and irreplaceable” at the ICLEI World Congress on June 20 in São Paulo. Hélinah Cardoso, GCoM’s regional director for the Americas, highlighted the importance of the Guide in the context of the EU’s joint work with Amazonian cities to build a more resilient, just, and sustainable future.

The document was developed within the framework of the National Strategy of the GCoM in Brazil through its national governance committee, which brings together the Brazilian Association of Municipalities (ABM), the National Front of Mayors (FNP), the Alziras Institute, the Delegation of the European Union in Brazil, and ICLEI South America (ICLEI SAMS), the technical entity responsible for the Guide. It is available for consultation here (in Portuguese).

The Relevance of Urban Amazon for the Future We Want

Located in the world’s largest tropical rainforest amidst a rich natural, cultural, and linguistic diversity, Brazilian Amazonian municipalities encompass more than 70% of the region’s population (according to IBGE 2010). The Guide for Amazonian Cities is an essential tool to drive ambitious, integrated, and urgent climate policies, promoting collaboration among local governments in the Brazilian Amazon region.

The Experience of Belém’s Inventory

This Guide also reflects the experience and knowledge acquired during the development of the first Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory of Belém do Pará, an initiative of the Municipality of Belém with the support of the European Union through the Global Covenant of Mayors. The Amazonian city, which will host COP 30 in 2025, is advancing in its climate commitment, with the Inventory serving as an example of how data collection and analysis can support robust and strategic public policies, acting as a model for other Amazonian cities in preparing their own GHG Emissions Inventory and strengthening ambitious climate action in the region. The document is publicly available (also in executive summary format) (in Portuguese).

The city’s mayor, Edmilson Rodrigues, also participated in the panel and stated: “I had the honor of joining another 13,300 mayors from around the world by committing to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, the institution that leads mayors’ efforts in environmental protection and fighting climate change. Thanks to the technical work of ICLEI, funded by the European Union, we now know the full volume of emissions from Belém. This work by the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy has allowed us to create evidence-based public policies. Overcoming the climate crisis requires urban planning tools that do not ignore scientific data.” Besides the mayor of Belém, Vanessa Grazziotin, Executive Director of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO); Ana Lucia Reis, mayor of Cobija, Bolivia; Janet Yvone C. Vasquez, mayor of Coronel Portillo, Pucallpa, Peru; German Vladimir Chong, mayor of the Province of Maynas, Peru; Ana Costa, Superintendent of the Social Development and Public Management Area of BNDES; Maria Cecília Zenezokemaero, Brazilian environmental activist; and Rodrigo Perpétuo, Executive Secretary of ICLEI South America, also participated.

GCoM and Amazonian Cities: Technical Support and Climate Diplomacy

Currently, there are 38 cities committed to the Global Covenant of Mayors in the Pan-Amazonian region, of which 26 are Brazilian; moreover, over 10% of all recognition medals awarded by the GCoM to Latin American cities in the 2023 cycle went to Amazonian cities: eight of the awarded cities are Brazilian Amazonian cities. In addition to the experience in Belém, the National Strategy of the GCoM in Brazil also supported 11 small and medium-sized cities in the Amazon region in advancing their climate change responses through the development of their inventories, including Abaetetuba, Barcarena, Belém, Brasiléia, Cáceres, Cametá, Formoso do Araguaia, Palmas, Parauapebas, Rio Branco, and Xapuri.

Supporting Amazonian cities is a strategic pillar of the GCoM’s activities not only in Brazil but also includes activities in other Amazonian countries. The Alliance has made a strong presence in this context, providing technical support for local climate action planning and strengthening these municipalities’ representation in governance bodies in preparation for COP 30.

An Essential Step for Amazonian Cities and the Fight Against Climate Change

This initiative aims to strengthen Brazilian cities and consolidate a collaborative network spanning the Amazon region. This is particularly relevant as we approach COP 30, where the actions and commitments of Amazonian cities will play a fundamental role. Launching the Guide for Amazonian Cities is a decisive step in Amazonian cities’ climate journey, enabling ambitious climate action with the support of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy and the European Union.