Support for Amazonian cities

Training for Female Mayors and technical teams on Municipal Budgets and Climate Financing

The activity aimed to broaden women’s participation in climate change mitigation processes and enhance technical capacities for implementing climate actions at the local level in cities committed to the climate agenda and the GCoM in the country.

The awareness and training cycle kicked off during the 2nd National Meeting of Female Mayors—Women Leading the Way to a New Economy, held on September 25 and 26, 2023, in Brasilia (DF). Over 15 GCoM-signatory female mayors gathered to discuss crucial issues related to socioeconomic development, ecological transition, and gender and racial equality in Brazil. During this event, the guide “Climate Justice and Municipal Budgets” was launched, providing crucial guidance for integrating climate justice into municipal financial activity and governmental action planning.

Its technical training phase occurred during the “Climate Budget and Project Development ” workshop, which was held within the framework of the 4th National Meeting of Municipalities of the Associação Brasileira de Municípios (ABM). This session showcased municipal climate financing opportunities and highlighted ways to allocate resources for a just transition to a low-carbon economy. The workshop featured a session led by Michelle Ferreti, Director of the Instituto Alziras, specifically on “Climate Justice and Municipal Budgets,” emphasizing the importance of considering class and race inequalities in public budget planning.

The activities reflected how female Mayors can contribute to promoting climate justice and global sustainability through locally focused policies centered on people, equality, and environmental preservation. Therefore, it was crucial to equip technical teams with the necessary knowledge about key processes and stakeholders to secure funding for projects in climate and sustainable urban development areas.

Mentorship and Monitoring to Develop Financeable Energy Efficiency Projects

The activity was dedicated to inspiring and empowering cities in the field of energy transition, focusing on the theme of energy access and energy poverty promoted by the latest pillar of the GCoM.

Considering that one of the main obstacles in obtaining financing by local entities is the development of consistent projects for access to resources, the activity focused on mentoring and monitoring to structure financeable energy efficiency projects in Contagem/MG, São Cristóvão/SE, Abaetetuba/PA, and São Sepé/RS, cities selected by the National Consultative Committee.

The activity was carried out under the Cities Energy Transition Program (PTEC) through monitoring, bilateral meetings, and seven technical-financial training meetings on planning and developing renewable energy projects. During the PTEC meetings, topics such as energy transition and climate financing were addressed, among others.

Finally, the PTEC Innovation Meeting was held on November 27, 2023, a knowledge exchange between participating cities in the program and European and Brazilian companies to bring municipalities closer to solutions and opportunities along with business institutions, aiming to overcome obstacles to financing.

Technical Support for Small and Medium-Sized Signatory Cities

This activity was based on specialized assistance for 30 small and medium-sized cities selected by the National Consultative Committee to strengthen municipal technical capacities for accelerating the climate agenda. Support to cities was provided through individualized and specialized monitoring.

As key achievements, it is noteworthy that 13 municipalities completed their inventories, 12 reported their inventories on the CDP/ICLEI platform, and 10 received new recognition GCoM badges. In addition to these, the activity unfolded in the progress of 11 municipalities in developing their Climate Action Plans, the institutionalization of 10 Municipal Climate Action Working Groups, and the mapping and dissemination of best practices.

The activity leveraged the diversification of the profile of cities actively committed to the climate agenda and the GCoM in Brazil, focusing on the complementarity of metropolises and mobilizing medium and small cities. We congratulate the commitment of the involved cities: Abaetetuba, Alexânia, Barcarena, Barretos, Brasiléia, Cáceres, Cametá, Campo Grande, Carinhanha, Contagem, Cordeirópolis, Francisco Morato, Ibirajuba, Igarassu, Indiaroba, Jandaíra, Joinville, Lauro de Freitas, Maringá, Niterói, Palmas, Parauapebas, Pelotas, Quissamã, Rio Branco, Formoso do Araguaia, São Cristóvão, São Leopoldo, Sirinhaém, and Sobral.

Still, within the monitoring period, Francisco Morato, Abaetetuba, Barcarena, Cordeirópolis, Cáceres, Carinhanha, Sobral, Sirinhaém, and Jandaíra held launch events for their inventories as milestones in delivering these diagnostics to their respective municipal administrations and populations in their territories.

Advances recognition

The recognition ceremony for the awarded cities took place during the 4th National Meeting of Municipalities of the Associação Brasileira de Municípios (ABM). The event provided a unique opportunity to highlight the commitment and efforts of Brazilian cities in the fight against climate change through the official recognition of the awarded cities and encouragement to continue actions.

The certificate awards were presented at the end of the panel “Towards a Sustainable Brazil for COP 30” on November 7, 2023. This moment was an important celebration of the progress made by the GCoM Committed cities in Brazil, with the presence of mayors and municipal representatives.

During the recognition ceremony, certificates of progress in the climate journey and symbolic plants were presented to several Brazilian cities committed to the environmental cause. Among the recognized cities were Abaetetuba/PA, Barcarena/PA, Belém/PA, Cáceres/MT, Carinhanha/BA, Cordeirópolis/SP, Francisco Morato/SP, Jandaíra/RN, Palmas/TO, São Cristóvão, São Leopoldo/RS, Sirinhaém/PE, Serra Talhada/PE, Quissamã/RJ, Sobral/CE, and Formoso do Araguaia/TO.

Furthermore, certificates of the GCoM badges and symbolic plants were awarded to other cities that stood out in their environmental performance. Among them were Abaetetuba, Barcarena, Canoas, Cordeirópolis, Francisco Morato, Quissamã, São Cristóvão, São Leopoldo, and Serra Talhada. These cities were recognized for their exemplary commitment to the climate agenda, demonstrating leadership and concrete action in pursuing sustainable solutions for their territories.

The recognition for their commitment and efforts in combating climate change involved the presentation of certificates and plants, representing growth and renewal towards a more sustainable future. We trust that this milestone will serve as an inspiration and be further expanded as Brazilian municipalities continue to drive and prioritize this agenda.