Cuenca, Ecuador, July 12, 2024 – The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, a project funded by the European Union in Latin America, held a workshop during a meeting in Cuenca, bringing together representatives from 20 Ecuadorian cities to address crucial issues related to climate change. This event marks a significant step in the collaboration and commitment of Ecuadorian municipalities to climate action.
During the event, participants focused on evaluating the commitments fulfilled so far, sharing relevant experiences, and fostering collaboration among municipalities. Various pathways to advance towards greater climate action in the country were discussed, with an emphasis on the effective implementation of local strategies.
The participating Ecuadorian cities included Baños de Agua Santa, Cuenca, Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, Ibarra, Latacunga, Loja, Manta, Montecristi, Lago Agrio, Pastaza, Portoviejo, Quito, Salinas, Santa Cruz, Santa Elena, Samborondón, Sucre, and Milagro.
As a result of this participatory space, the following outcomes were achieved:
1. Commitment Evaluation: The progress and challenges in meeting the commitments made by the municipalities under the Global Covenant of Mayors and the One Planet City Challenge (OPCC) were analyzed.
2. Experience Sharing: Municipalities shared success stories and lessons learned, strengthening the collaborative network among Ecuadorian cities.
3. Planning and Strategy: Clear pathways for climate action were defined, highlighting the importance of urban sustainability and territorial resilience.
The event, led by the WWF Ecuador team, was attended by senior officials and technical staff from the participating municipalities, who were recognized for their achievements in implementing climate actions. Ecuador was awarded a total of nine medals for climate progress up to 2023, based on three fundamental pillars: adaptation, mitigation, and energy access. The country received eight medals in adaptation and one in energy access and reducing energy poverty. Recognized cities included Guayaquil, Quito, Cuenca, Lago Agrio, Ambato, and Montecristi. Additionally, Quito and Cuenca are among the 15 cities in Latin America included in the GCoM’s Flagship CIties program, playing a crucial role as role models in the fight against climate change for other cities.
The event concluded with a visit to the Cuenca Botanical Garden.
This meeting is part of the National Strategy of the Global Covenant of Mayors in Ecuador, which aims to promote cohesion and coordination among GCoM partners in Latin America, driving cities towards a resilient and low-emission transition.
