by Shane Henson — December 9, 2011—In Durban, South Africa, representatives of more than 950 local governments from around the world demonstrated their commitment to combat climate change through the signing of the Durban Adaptation Charter, during the Durban Local Government Convention organized by ICLEI—Local Governments for Sustainability, an organization that supports local governments in finding and implementing local solutions to global challenges.
Mayors, governors and chairs of local government associations from as far as Bangkok, Thailand to Vancouver, Canada joined with those from 24 other countries in making this ground-breaking local government commitment toward urgent, decisive, measurable, reportable and verifiable (MRV) climate commitments. Through national associations, large numbers of local governments from Tanzania, Norway, Namibia, Mauritius, Nigeria and South Africa also joined in supporting this Charter.
By signing the Charter, local governments have committed to unprecedented levels of local climate action to:
- Mainstream adaptation as a key informant of all local government development planning;
- Ensure that adaptation strategies are aligned with mitigation strategies;
- Promote the use of adaptation that recognizes the needs of vulnerable communities and ensure sustainable local economic development;
- Prioritize the role of functioning ecosystems as core municipal green infrastructure; and
- Seek innovative funding mechanisms, etc.
- Promote the use of adaptation that recognizes the needs of vulnerable communities and ensure sustainable local economic development;
Durban’s mayor, James Nxumalo, who led the signing of the Charter, stated, “Local governments from around the world made history today by committing themselves to enhanced adaptation action through their signing of the Durban Adaptation Charter. The Charter is a clear indication that the impacts of climate change can only be addressed through development that promotes human welfare, ensures ecosystem integrity and promotes a new greener economy. It is appropriate that this challenge was taken up on African soil, given the vulnerability of our continent to climate change impacts; and in Durban, a city that has become a leader in the field of climate change adaptation.”
