WHO WE ARE

this Is a powerful and historic response to climate change

from cities around the world. GCoM is the largest global alliance for city climate leadership, built upon the commitment of over 10,000 cities and local governments. These cities hail from 6 continents and 138 countries. In total, they represent more than 800 million people. By 2030, Global Covenant cities and local governments could account for 2.3 billion tons CO2e of annual emissions reduction, matching yearly passenger road emissions from the U.S., China, France, Mexico, Russia, and Argentina combined.

Increasingly, cities and local governments across the globe are heeding the call to act. With nations working towards the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, cities’ involvement could not be more urgent.

The cities and partners of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy share a long-term vision of supporting voluntary action to combat climate change. Together, we’re working towards a resilient and low-emission society.

Why Cities matter

Cities contain more than half of the world’s population

and they consume more than two thirds of the world’s energy. Local leaders around the world are pursuing ambitious climate initiatives in their communities. They are key to delivering on the Paris Agreement. All levels of government – cities, regions and nations – have a role to play when it comes to raising the bar and working hand-in-hand with the scientific community, financial institutions, and the private sector. Only through dynamic, multi-level collaboration can we reach a net-zero-emission world by 2050. This joint effort is historic – and together, we are unstoppable.

Mission & Vision

We envision a world

where committed mayors and local governments – in alliance with partners – accelerate ambitious, measurable climate and energy initiatives that lead to a low-emission and climate-resilient future.

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Our Mission is to serve cities and local governments by mobilizing and supporting climate and energy action in their communities by working with city/ regional networks, national governments, and other partners.

Over 10,000 cities and local governments
from more than 135 countries have already committed to taking action.

A Robust Agenda for change

The global covenant of mayors supports ambitious, locally relevant solutions

in sectors where cities can have the greatest impact. These cities register, implement, and monitor their strategic action plans and make information on their efforts and results publicly available.

CITY ACTION COULD NOT BE MORE URGENT.

Supporting Local Governments 

GCoM recognizes that local governments are key to effective climate action. We work to organize and mobilize their efforts for a global climate solution.

Partnering with City Networks

Regional and global city networks are our core partners, serving as the primary support for participating cities and local governments.

Reducing Emissions and Fostering Local Climate Resilience

The Global Covenant of Mayors emphasizes the importance of climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as increased access to clean and affordable energy.

Our Board

The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy Board

provides strategic direction for our initiatives. Ten mayors and local officials serve on the Board, acting as representatives of core partner networks and providing regionally specific perspectives – thus ensuring that the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy is truly led by mayors.

The Board is co-chaired by European Commission Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal Frans Timmermans and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Former UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres serves as Vice-Chair. Ex-Officio Members include UNFCCC Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa, UN Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif, and the Executive Director of the Global Covenant of Mayors.

Vice Chair
Christiana Figueres
Co-Chair
Frans Timmermans
Co-Chair
Michael Bloomberg
The Global Secretariat

The Secretariat will connect, inspire, and galvanize

The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy enables cities, local governments, and the networks that support them to bridge the gap from climate ambition to action delivery. Uniquely positioned at the nexus of cities, city networks, national and supranational governments, and philanthropy, the GCoM alliance elevates city climate leadership and enables strategic and innovative partnerships that are at the crossroads of research, data, finance, and communications.

The Global Secretariat, based in Brussels, serves as an organizing platform for this work and a hub to inspire the ambition of cities around the globe, while galvanizing support for issues centered on the nexus of cities and climate change.

Our regional chapters

Our alliance includes thousands of cities

To maximize both local and global perspectives, GCoM has established Regional/National Covenants, which serve as local chapters of the broader GCoM alliance. Each engages city, sub-national and national governments, community-based organizations, regional alliances and parallel initiatives to encourage and support climate action from the ground up.

GCoM’s Regional/National Covenants convene, encourage, and strengthen stakeholders at the local, national, and regional levels to accelerate climate action. Building off local capacity, including knowledge and networks within each region, Regional Covenants oversee the development of technical assistance plans for cities, ensure that the Common Reporting Framework is implemented region-wide, and continue to recruit new cities to join the alliance.

The founding partners

THE HISTORY OF THE MERGER AND THE FOUNDING PARTNERS

The Merger

The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy formally brings together the European Union’s Covenant of Mayors and the Compact of Mayors – the world’s two primary initiatives of cities and local governments – to advance city-level transition to a low emission and climate resilient economy, and to demonstrate the global impact of local action.

The Founding Partners

The Founding Partners, to both the Compact of Mayors and the Covenant of Mayors, are:

Reporting and Data Partners

Endorsing Partners


Our mission is to galvanize climate and energy action across cities worldwide. We collaborate with city and regional networks, national government, and other partners to spark city climate leadership.

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