C40 Cities Network Overview

• C40 = network of 96 most populous metro areas globally
• Accounts for ~25% of world's GDP (larger than any single country)
• Founded by mayors to address cross-border challenges
• Mayors share solutions: "good mayors borrow, great mayors steal"
• Focus areas: green jobs, inclusive economy, fossil fuel transition, low-emission transportation, green buildings

Global Green New Deal Vision

• Addresses two main stressors: climate crisis + economic uncertainty
• Cannot solve climate without addressing economic inequality
• Must create just economy alongside environmental solutions
• Green industries = mega industries of tomorrow
• Cities must plan now or be left behind
• Network pushes national governments when they're slow to act

Los Angeles Climate Actions

• Three main emission sources: transportation, buildings, electricity generation
• Energy transformation:
  • Moving completely off coal soon
  • Closing huge natural gas plants
  • Largest solar generation/storage facility in country (Eland)
  • Cheaper than new gas plant
  • Powers ~1 million people
• Transportation:
  • All buses converting to electric
  • Largest electric bus purchases in country
  • Majority of city vehicle purchases now electric
  • Reduces emissions, smog, asthma, cancer
• Buildings:
  • Biggest emitters of all
  • Creating jobs for home inspections
  • Help residents save money + planet
  • Commercial buildings converting to clean electricity
• Equity focus:
  • Shade as equity issue
  • Black/brown communities in hottest areas with fewest trees
  • Affects students' homework ability
  • Analyzing by neighborhood, race, income

International Climate Leadership Examples

• Shenzhen, China: Converted entire bus fleet (10,000+ buses) to electric
• Freetown, Africa: Mayor focusing on flood mitigation from extreme weather
• Medellín, Colombia: Expanding bicycles and public transportation
• Mayors learn from each other globally
• COVID-19 created opportunities for street closures, outdoor dining

COVID-19 Response and Recovery

• C40 pandemic response: 48 of 96 mayors on emergency call
• Mayor of Seoul: early testing bent curve
• Mayor of Delhi: locked down city, national government followed 2 days later (affected 1 billion people)
• Mayor of Milan: shared peak experience insights
• Task Force creation: Mayor Sala of Milan leads COVID-19 response/recovery task force
• Global representation: Africa, Latin America, Oceania, Asia, Europe
• Recovery principles:
  • Jobs and inclusivity
  • Resilience and equity
  • Health and well-being
• No stimulus should be non-green
• Must be inclusive of all people
• Champion mass transit, green energy, eliminate fossil fuels
• Build sustainable economy for decades ahead

Pandemic Leadership Challenges

• Virus "messes with mind and instincts"
• Must act when it feels wrong (early closures saved lives)
• Virus exploits human weaknesses
• Need collective instinct based on science/medicine
• People historically "lose their minds" in pandemics
• Democracy better than historical leader overthrows

Mask Mandate Experience

• LA first big city in America to mandate masks
• Waited for national leadership initially
• 88 cities in LA county, 5 counties in region
• Evidence was clear for effectiveness
• Became politicized red/blue issue
• "Real men wear masks" messaging
• Machismo factor in resistance
• Successful countries have bipartisan support

Racial Equity and Climate Justice

• Global perspective: African cities proud to participate but barely responsible for emissions
• Victims of climate change in countries with weak infrastructure
• Emissions from China, Europe, North America cause floods in Mozambique
• Must place Black leadership at center globally and domestically
• C40 structure: Vice chairs, regional quotas, intentional gender/racial equity
• Economic argument: Reparations would boost US GDP by closing wealth gaps
• Need global funds to help poorer (often blacker/browner) nations build green economies
• Prevent dumping of old gas trucks/coal plants on developing nations

Racial Equity Tools and Implementation

• Executive Directive 27: Mandates racial equity as central city value
• All 38 general managers must own racial equity
• Each department needs racial equity officer
• Must develop racial equity plans
• Management approach:
  • Measure: count wages, promotions, hiring, procurement
  • Manage: hold people accountable
  • Annual reviews include racial equity progress
• Community engagement:
  • Partner with existing community groups (Community Coalition)
  • Facilitate dinners with diverse racial backgrounds
  • Address internal bias first before policy changes
  • Measure household/enterprise practices
• Government changes:
  • 300+ commissioners: over half women within 6 months
  • Challenge private sector to change boards quickly

Federal vs. Local Government Role

• Nations made up of 19,000 local communities, not just capital
• Obama administration consulted cities on policing, housing, economic opportunity
• Local budgets fund 90% of life-affecting services
• Climate action: 400+ US cities pledged Paris Climate Accords despite Trump
• Would need local action even with supportive president
• "If you change your city, you change the world"
• Cities must network together for global impact