New Badges recognition for local governments advances on climate action in the US in the 2023 cycle

 

The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM), a project funded by the European Union in the United States, recognizes the commitment of each American city to their ambitious climate actions, forming part of a historic and powerful response by local governments worldwide to tackle the climate crisis. In the 2023 cycle, 64 cities in the United States received a total of 109 new badges, highlighting their progress and achievements in implementing their climate commitments. Four cities reported for the first time in the 2023 cycle, taking a significant step in their climate journey: North Miami and Tampa (FL), Belfast (ME), and Greensboro (NC).

The GCoM’s badge system is organized around three pillars: Mitigation, Adaptation, and Energy Access and Poverty. These badges capture the progress of signatory cities through different phases and milestones of their climate journey, from the commitment to the GCoM to diagnosis, setting ambitious targets, and planning. This badge system not only recognizes the cities’ achievements but also provides an overview of their participation, facilitating connections with opportunities, resources, and other cities at similar stages.

 

American Cities in the 2023 Cycle

In the 2023 cycle, 64 American cities earned a total of 109 badges, distributed across 15 in the Mitigation pillar, 33 in the Adaptation pillar, and 51 in the Energy Access and Poverty pillar, which began to be accounted for in this cycle. Notably, ten new cities earned the Compliance badge in this cycle, meaning they completed all the requirements of the Mitigation and Adaptation pillars: Aspen (CO), Columbia (MO), Durham (NH), Fort Collins (CO), Mid-America Regional Council, Milwaukee (WI), Nashville (TN), Oakland (CA), Oxford (OH), and San Rafael (CA).

With this progress, the ten highlighted cities joined another 59 cities in the country that had earned the compliance badge in previous years. Consequently, of the 192 cities committed to the GCoM in the United States, 69 are recognized for their leadership in local climate action, totaling 36% of the signatory cities. This figure also demonstrates the leadership of American cities in local climate action – the overall average of compliant cities across the entire GCoM alliance is 9%, a number four times lower than the U.S. average.

 

The Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM) in the United States

The GCoM in the United States is a collaboration between ICLEI USA, CDP, USDN, and C40. The United States has 192 cities committed to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, and in their reports over the past years, including 2023, the country has achieved a total of 760 badges: 302 in Mitigation, 338 in Adaptation, 51 in Energy, and 69 in Compliance.

This impressive result reflects the growing commitment of American cities to local climate action, highlighting their dedication to mitigating climate change, adapting to its effects, ensuring access to sustainable and affordable energy, and combating energy poverty. 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 and Energy, and their efforts are essential in building a more resilient, just, and sustainable future for all.

 

The New Energy Access and Poverty Pillar

The Energy Access and Poverty pillar of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) represents a significant milestone in cities’ commitment to sustainability and the transition to clean and renewable energy sources. This pillar, although not mandatory for achieving full compliance, is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting efficient energy practices. Cities that receive this badge demonstrate an exemplary commitment to implementing innovative and sustainable energy management strategies, contributing to a greener and more resilient future.

In the United States, a total of 51 badges were awarded to 44 cities in this pillar: Albany, Ann Arbor, Arlington, Aspen, Atlanta, Baltimore, Berkeley, Bethlehem, Bloomington, Boston, Boulder, Boynton Beach, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbia, Columbus, Denver, Ferndale, Fort Collins, Fremont, Honolulu, Houston, Iowa City, Lakewood, Lexington, Manhattan Beach, Medford, Memphis, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Milwaukee, New York City, Oakland, Orlando, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Saint Paul, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Spokane, St. Petersburg, and Tempe.

As part of the first cycle in which the Energy pillar is reported, we want to highlight Mexico City, the first city in the Americas to fully complete the journey of the Mitigation, Adaptation, and Energy Access and Energy Poverty pillars, which thus achieved full compliance with the requirements of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. We proudly announce this achievement and hope to inspire American cities to join Mexico City in leading the region’s climate action, advancing further in their journeys, and earning badges.

Would you like to learn more about the Global Covenant of Mayors and the reporting process that committed cities are invited to participate in? Visit us at Global Covenant USA or write to us at [email protected].