The largest global alliance for city climate leadership
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.
they represent the regions
The 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 secretariat will connect, inspire and galvanize
The Global Secretariat
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.
Based in Brussels, it 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.
CORE PRINCIPLES
Global Covenant of Mayors Charter
The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy builds upon the commitment of thousands of cities and local governments, which stand ready to partner with national and international institutions to tackle the climate crisis through local initiatives, innovative financing models, citizens engagement and sustainable infrastructure. This commitment is overseen by a set of overarching principles and our approach, a copy of which is available here.
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 Help Us Fighting
The GCoM committed cities are supported by an alliance of partners.
The History of 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 strategic advisory committee members
What is Our Mission?
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.