Latin America Advances in Local Climate Action: Global Covenant of Mayors Badges in the 2023 Cycle
The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM), a project funded by the European Union in Latin America, recognizes the commitment of each city to ambitious climate action, forming part of a historic and powerful response by local governments worldwide to address the climate crisis. In the 2023 cycle, a total of 95 cities in Latin America received 248 new badges, highlighting their progress and achievements in implementing their climate commitments. A total of 28 cities reported for the first time in the 2023 cycle, taking an important step in their climate journey.
GCoM badges are organized around the three pillars of the GCoM: mitigation, adaptation, and access to energy. These badges capture the progress of signatory cities in the different phases and milestones of each pillar, from commitment to planning, implementation, and monitoring. This medal system not only recognizes the achievements of cities but also provides an overview of their engagement, facilitating connections with opportunities, resources, and other cities at similar stages.
In the 2023 cycle, Latin American cities were awarded a total of 248 badges, distributed as 74 badges in the Mitigation pillar, 110 Adaptation badges, and 43 Access to Energy and Energy Poverty badges. Notably, 21 new cities achieved the Compliance medal, meaning they completed the Mitigation and Adaptation pillars.
These 21 cities awarded the Compliance medal include: San Carlos Sud, Guaymallén, Villa Carlos Paz, Gualeguaychú, General Lavalle, Comodoro Rivadavia, Crespo, Arequito, Avellaneda, and Puerto Esperanza in Argentina; Curitiba and São Leopoldo in Brazil; Santiago and Independencia in Chile; Envigado and La Estrella in Colombia; Monteverde and Santa Ana in Costa Rica; and León, Mérida, and Hermosillo in Mexico.
The Access to Energy pillar, although not mandatory for the Compliance medal, was reported by 31 cities in Latin America. Additionally, 6 new cities joined GCoM in 2023 and began reporting in this cycle: Vicente López in Argentina, Montecristi in Ecuador, Iztapa in Guatemala, Irapuato and Tepatitlán de Morelos in Mexico, and Surquillo in Peru.
We especially want to recognize Mexico City for being the first city in the Americas to achieve full compliance with the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy. Mexico City has completed all phases of the energy pillar, demonstrating exemplary leadership and a firm commitment to energy sustainability. This achievement highlights its pioneering role in local climate action and sets a high standard for other cities in the region, showing that it is possible to go beyond the minimum requirements to effectively tackle the climate crisis.
These achievements reflect the growing commitment of Latin American cities to local climate action, highlighting their dedication to mitigating climate change, adapting to its effects, and ensuring access to sustainable energy. The continuous progress of these cities is a testament to their leadership in the global fight against the climate crisis alongside the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, and their efforts are essential in building a more sustainable and resilient future for their communities.