UPI Asia
Wednesday 31 October 2007
Delegates from 136 countries, representing local governments, vowed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and use renewable and clean energy sources to combat climate change, at the second World Congress of the United Cities and Local Governments. Some 2,000 mayors, councilors, and other officials of local autonomies from around the world attended the four-day Congress, in the South Korean resort island of Jeju, which concluded today.
In the world's largest meeting of local administrators, participants vowed to make concerted efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming, use renewable and clean energy sources, and invest more in technological innovations. "For if we do not act now to mitigate the consequences of global warming, the results could be devastating," was the declaration adopted, under the theme, "Changing cities are driving our world."
The unanimous consensus in general meetings was that one of the main issues facing world citiesof world's local leaders for the upcoming U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties, in December.
Organizers believe that UCLG's high-profile campaign against climate change could be very effective as cities are responsible for 75 percent of the world's energy consumption and 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. "The fight against climate change begins in our cities. So it is vital that UCLG positions itself as a key player and possesses a clear and committed message on the issue," said Bertrand Delanoe, UCLG president who is also the Mayor of Paris.
In his address at the plenary session, Geng Gao, director of legal affairs of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, called for more vigorous efforts to address the issue. He stressed that a strong sense of emergency was needed to tackle global warming that could undermine the future of humanity and sustainable economic growth of the world.
Zhang Guangning, mayor of China's industrial city of Guangzhou, pledged to join forces to curb climate change and said that Chinese cities are seeking to build energy-saving, environment-friendly harmonious societies while sustaining economic growth. China, often labeled as a major polluter who produces high amounts of carbon dioxide, is likely to overtake the United States as the world's leading producer of greenhouse gases by the end of this year as per the International Energy Agency. As most of the emissions come from urban development, the global fight against warming will be focused on developing Asian cities, the Agency indicated.
South Korea, another major producer of greenhouse gases in Asia, said it would use the forum to step up national efforts. Kim Tae-hwan, governor of Jeju Province that hosted the UCLG congress, said that the island, whose beautiful coastline could be swamped by rising sea levels is the ideal venue for South Koreans to launch a nation-wide campaign for environmental protection. "Jeju would lead South Korea's campaign to address climate change," Kim said. He also expressed hope that the international event would promote Jeju's image as a peace island.
South Korea is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol that seeks to combat global warming, but does not belong to the first group, which has to cut carbon dioxide emissions. However, pressure to join the scheme where countries are obligated to cut emissions is certain, as it was the tenth-largest emitter of carbon dioxide in the world, in 2004.
Under the theme of "city diplomacy," the UCLG's agenda also focused on the role of local governments' efforts in promoting peace. The Jeju Declaration said, "Local governments also act on the international stage in the promotion of peace, the prevention of conflicts and in assisting post-war reconstruction," and hailed Jeju's peace-building efforts, describing it as "the island of world peace."
The South Korean government has designated Jeju as the hub of world peace to play host to a series of peace forums largely focused on North Korea. "We hope the image of Jeju as a symbolic place for promoting and spreading peace in the region will be greatly enhanced by this designation," President Roh Moo-hyun said in his message.
Founded in 2004, the Barcelona-based UCLG, is the world's biggest local government organization, representing over half the world's population. "It is the united voice and world advocate of democratic local self-government," Delanoe said. "In three years, our organization has succeeded in becoming an institution recognized by international institutions. Here in Jeju, we are committed to standing alongside the United Nations.
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