Agenda item

            The Climate Commissioner submitted the undernoted report in regard to its intention to apply for membership of the C40 group.

“1.0     Purpose of Report or Summary of Main Issues

1.1            This report will update Members on a Notice of Motion raised in Standards and Business Committee on the 25th October 2022 suggesting membership of the C40 network.

2.0       Recommendations

1.1            The Committee is asked to:

                                            I.        Note the content of the Notice of Motion raised at the Standards and Business Committee on the 25th October 2022.

                                           II.        Note that having enquired about Belfast joining C40 the Climate Unit was informed that membership is at full capacity. Belfast City Council Climate Unit has registered our interest should membership reopen.

                                         III.        Note that in relation to climate and resilience networks, Belfast is currently a member of the Global Resilient Cities Network, Core Cities Network, Eurocities Network and ICLEI Network, in addition to the PCAN Network mentioned in the Notice of Motion.

3.0       Main report

            Background

1.1            At the Standards and Business Committee on the 25th October 2022 Councillor Matt Collins proposed the following notice of motion, which was seconded by Councillor Ferguson and agreed by the Committee:

1.2           ‘Belfast City Council notes that the C40 World Mayors Summit occurred between 19 – 21 October 2022 in Buenos Aires. The Council notes that the C40 World Mayors Summit brings together the mayors of global and regional cities, alongside business leaders, philanthropists, campaigners, youth leaders, scientists and residents, to share bold ideas, showcase innovative solutions and stand together to create a sustainable, prosperous and equitable future. This Council notes that it already supports the work of the Belfast Climate Commission and is part of the Place-based Climate Action Network (‘PCAN’). The Council also notes that the C40 Leadership Standards are as follows:

3.3       Plan: City has adopted a resilient and inclusive climate action plan aligned with the 1.5?C ambition of the Paris Agreement, and updates it regularly;

3.4       Deliver: In 2024, city remains on track to deliver its climate action plan, contributing to increased resilience, equitable outcomes and halving C40’s overall emissions by 2030;

3.5       Mainstream: City uses the necessary financial, regulatory and other tools at their disposal to address the climate crisis and mainstreams their equitable climate targets into the most impactful city decision-making processes;

3.6       Innovate: City innovates and starts taking inclusive and resilient action to address emissions beyond the direct control of the city government, such as associated with goods and services consumed in their city;

3.7       Lead: Mayor and the city demonstrate global climate leadership and inspire others to act in support of the Paris Agreement.

3.8       These Leadership Standards will guide C40’s collective action until at least 2024. The Council considers that this PCAN work would be enhanced by Belfast City Council applying to join C40 as an ‘Innovator’. An ‘Innovator’ city is one that shows exceptional climate leadership at the global level, but do not meet the population/size criteria of a ‘Megacity.’

3.9       Accordingly, the Council resolves to recommend to the Lord Mayor of Belfast that she apply on behalf of Belfast City Council and her office to join the C40 network and, in any event, adhering to the C40’s leadership standards.’

3.10     Having liaised with contacts in C40 the Climate Unit has been informed that currently (as of April 2023) their membership is at full capacity. C40 are primarily mega cities who will have a population of 3million or more by 2030 and in addition include some innovator cities who are seen as leaders on climate action. However, C40 are not accepting new applications under either category at present.  The Climate Unit has registered our interest should this open up again, and C40 have asked to be kept informed of any outstanding climate action similar to the CDP A achieved by Belfast in 2022. Should the situation change, membership will be applied for, and Committee updated accordingly.

3.11     The Belfast Climate Unit Climate Unit will seek to adhere to the C40 leadership standards as set out in the body of this report.

3.12     Members may be aware that that in relation to climate and resilience networks, Belfast is currently a member of the Global Resilient Cities Network, Core Cities Network, Eurocities Network and ICLEI Network, in addition to the PCAN (Place Based Climate Action) Network mentioned in the Notice of Motion.

4.0       Financial and Resource Implications

4.1       There are no financial or resource implications at present.

1.0            Equality or Good Relations Implications/

Rural Needs Implications

5.1       There are no direct equality and good relations implications.”

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided by the Climate Commissioner in the aforementioned report.