UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP 20)

With global temperatures rising and the impacts of climate change increasingly threatening human health and livelihoods, the need for an ambitious global climate agreement has never been greater. 

The twentieth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 20) will take place from December 1-12, 2014 in Lima, Peru. At these annual United Nations climate negotiations, national leaders advance towards an international agreement on climate change expected to be reached at COP21 in Paris next year. COP20 will build on September's U.N. Climate Summit to further progress on climate action. Cities play an important role in advancing climate action at COP20 and beyond, both as the main source of global emissions and home to some of the most innovative efforts to combat climate change.

Through coalitions like the Compact of Mayors, city leaders are taking bold action on climate and seeing results. Empowered by tools like the Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories (GPC), cities are taking steps to measure their emissions, set targets, and develop strategies for low-carbon growth. They’re expanding sustainable transport systems, increasing building efficiency, and building more compact, resilient neighborhoods. Not only is this benefiting the climate, but it’s in cities’ self interest. Analysis shows that climate-smart urban development in the world's 724 largest cities could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 1.5 billion tons annually by 2030, while saving cities US$3 trillion. 

Transport Day 2014

The event is jointly organized by EMBARQ, Bridging the Gap, and the SLoCaT Partnership. The theme for this year's Transport Day is "Transport Tackles Climate Change @ COP 20." Transport Day 2014 builds on the transport related outcomes of the U.N. Climate Summit in September 2014.

When: December 7, 2014, 8:30am-7:00pm

Where: Sheraton Hotel Lima, Lima, Peru

To register: http://bit.ly/1qtZdCr

More information: Visit www.transportday.org; Follow @SLOCATCornie, @SLOCATLAC (Spanish) and #TD2014 on Twitter.

Launch of the Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories (GPC)

The World Resources Institute, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), and the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) have partnered to create the Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories (GPC) - the world’s most widely-endorsed GHG accounting and reporting standard for cities. Already by piloted by 35 cities worldwide, the GPC will help city leaders identify strategies to reduce emissions. Learn more

When: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM PET, December 08, 2014

Where: Lima City Hall, Palacio Municipal de Lima, Jirón de la Unión, Lima, Peru

To register: Registration is free but required. 

For press

To speak with an expert, please contact Benoit Colin, Marketing and Communications Director, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities.