In July 2018, DOEE submitted an official bid to host the 2019/2020 international C40 Mayors Summit here in the District of Columbia. C40 is a network of the world’s largest cities —including the District-- committed to addressing climate change. C40 supports cities to collaborate effectively, share knowledge and drive meaningful, measurable and sustainable action on climate change.
The C40 Mayors Summit is a biennial meeting of mayors of cities around the world, who have committed to addressing climate change. The main objectives of the 2019/2020 Summit are to demonstrate how member cities are succeeding at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving climate resilience, and showcasing projects and initiatives. The most recent Summit, which Mayor Bowser attended, was held in Mexico City in 2016. 1,000 participants are expected to attend the 2019/2020 Summit.
Holding the biennial C40 Mayors Summit in Washington, DC would put the issue of climate change at the center of national and international dialogue, providing the unique opportunity to showcase the essential leadership of cities not just in the United States, but around the world. Our city is often seen as one-and-the-same as the United States Federal Government, whose refusal to lead on climate is in direct opposition to our DC values and longstanding commitments. In the face of these federal efforts to ignore the realities of climate change, the individual leadership and progress of Mayor Bowser’s Administration puts DC in the best position to lead this movement and to broaden the discussion.
In the face of federal efforts to derail any action on climate change, United States cities now bear the extreme responsibility to step up and lead locally for collective results. The year 2020 not only marks a critical point in the global fight against climate change, but it is also a pivotal time for America. With the November presidential and congressional elections on the line, this is an opportunity to change course and demonstrate action. With unparalleled proximity to lawmakers, in the backyard of a White House that has made every attempt to dismantle environmental regulations, DC is in a unique position to take action on climate and further the goals of C40 by hosting the biennial C40 Mayors Summit.
Please follow the link below to view the highlights of DC’s bid, and consider showing your support on social media, by using the hashtag, #DC4C40. The winning city will be determined by the C40 Steering Committee, who will vote electronically from September 7 through 11, 2018. The District is one of only three cities who successfully made it to the voting round; the other two bidding cities are Dubai and Copenhagen.
- C40 Bid Highlights - Read More>>
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