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16 March 2016

Auckland gets global thumbs up for environmental initiatives

The Executive Director of the world’s leading network of cities committed to addressing climate change, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, has praised Auckland’s environmental initiatives during a visit.

Mark Watts has been in Auckland for three days to see first-hand how the city is taking action on climate change, to visit innovative projects and identify where C40 can support Auckland’s efforts.

“More than two thirds of energy is consumed in cities. To achieve the ambitious 1.5 degree target for warming, agreed by 195 countries including New Zealand at the 2015 Paris climate negotiations, cities will be key,” said Mr Watts.

"The cities that get on a low carbon development pathway soonest will be the most successful cities over the next decade, achieving faster economic growth and more sustainable improvements in living standards,” said Mr Watts.

“Fortunately mayors and cities around the world are coming together to form an unstoppable coalition for action. Len Brown has shown incredible leadership on the issue of climate change and introduced meaningful action to reduce emissions from their cities.”

“It is exciting to see the vision that Auckland has for a sustainable future and I have seen several impressive projects here that could be applied to cities elsewhere across the world.”

Auckland’s inclusion in C40, confirmed in December 2015, was recognition of the city’s efforts in terms of action on climate change to date and meant Auckland now enjoys international support to increase the pace of its actions.

“It has been fantastic to meet with Mark as the leader of C40, a man who has his finger on the climate change pulse,” says Len Brown.

“One of the drivers for Auckland’s local government amalgamation in 2010 was to have one truly international city on the world stage and Auckland’s C40 membership proves we are now just that.

“Auckland and C40 will now work together on where we can deliver outcomes for greater sustainability. We are front and centre of the climate change debate and are acting to achieve global preservation. We are at a tipping point that is going to see great things happen.”

Mr Watts had meetings with council politicians and executives, Auckland Transport and Panuku Development Auckland and was briefed on Auckland’s development plans, the new and improved public transport network and the city’s plan for more cycleways.

He also visited some external organisations leading the charge against climate change like the Eco Matters Trust and the Compost Collective in New Lynn.

Mr Watts was the keynote speaker at an Auckland Conversations event entitled Climate Solutions: Cities in Action last night, attended by 500 people. He talked about the initiatives cities around the globe are putting in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks.

C40 Regional Director Milag San Jose-Ballesteros who is based in Singapore accompanied Mr Watts on his visit. A joint work programme will now be agreed and implemented.

ENDS

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