Mayor Len Brown says there will be much for Auckland to learn at a global climate change conference in Paris later in November 2015.
Len Brown is part of the official New Zealand government delegation to the 21st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) and has a key speaking role at the Cities and Regions component of the conference.
The mayor is travelling to the conference at the invitation of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, Michael Bloomberg and the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo.
“The invitation to attend the conference, the inclusion in the official delegation and the invitation to speak are all recognition of Auckland’s position as one of the world’s most liveable cities,” says Len Brown.
“However this is not just about telling the Auckland story. It’s about learning from best practice examples from around the world in areas such as urban regeneration, sustainable transport, energy efficiency and conservation and hot transport trends.
“Climate change is a critical issue for Auckland’s future. We have set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent by 2040. We are also preparing for the impacts of climate change such as increased severe weather events, flood events and sea level rise.
“We will be learning from other cities and building networks with cities that face similar challenges, enhancing Auckland’s ability to benefit from their expertise, tools and programmes in the future.”
Highlights of the conference will include:
- Taking leadership – an opportunity to promote the Low Carbon Auckland Action Plan and the LGNZ Local Leaders Declaration. The effects of climate change will vary round the country but we are all too aware of challenges we face shoring up infrastructure and managing insurance costs. These are serious financial considerations for councils and our communities alike.
- Liaising with and working with cabinet ministers and delegates from the New Zealand business community to develop a common voice and momentum for domestic action and issue visibility after the negotiations in Paris.
- Increasing Auckland’s international visibility as one of the world’s most liveable cities and promotion of Auckland’s capabilities and investment attractiveness.
- Initiating council’s engagement in the Global Lead Cities Network on Public Procurement with face to face meetings with other member cities (including Capetown and Seoul).
- Identifying opportunities with central government to advance Auckland’s climate change policies.
- Investigating funding opportunities to support Auckland’s climate change mitigation and adaptation programmes.
Solidarity with Paris
Auckland Mayor Len Brown and other world mayors invited to attend the climate change conference have been urged to stand firm and commit to attending the summit.
The plea comes in a letter from Michael Bloomberg, former Mayor of New York, and the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes.
Following a meeting between Len Brown and Michael Bloomberg in New York last year, Mr Bloomberg’s foundation is funding the Auckland Mayor’s travel costs to the summit.
The letter reads: “Following the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and the expressions of support received from cities around the world, Mayor (of Paris) Anne Hidalgo made it clear that she wants the upcoming climate change events in Paris, including the Climate Summit for Local Leaders to go forward as planned on December 4 - 6, as part of the U.N.’s gathering of world leaders at COP21."
Len Brown said: “We must make it clear that collectively we will not tolerate the barbaric killing of innocents and we will stand shoulders to shoulder with city leaders from around the world in Paris for the conference to make that determination very clear.”
New Zealand delegates
The mayor will be joined by Environment, Climate Change and Natural Heritage Committee Chair Councillor Wayne Walker, Auckland Council’s Overseas Investment Champion Sir Bob Harvey, Chief Sustainability Officer John Mauro and the Mayoral Environment Portfolio Manager Dr Megan Howell.
A full breakdown of costs will be available at the conclusion of the conference. Travel will be in line with Auckland Council policies.
