I was honored to be part of a delegation representing the Chicago suburbs at the Global Climate Action Summit. Smaller cities are an important part of the conversation about climate change, as there are many things we can do to reduce our emissions and make a difference.
Many governments and businesses have committed to purchase 100% renewable electricity, or to move to zero carbon emissions. The Governors of 17 states, in a bipartisan coalition representing over half of the US GDP, launched the US Climate Alliance and committed to meeting the Paris climate goals. Over 9,000 cities and local governments from 127 countries have signed onto the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, committing to promote and support voluntary action to combat climate change and move to a low emission, resilient society.
There was discussion of divestment from fossil fuels – Ireland was the first country to announce that it would divest and New York was the first U.S. city to commit to divesting their pension funds. At the summit, NYC pledged to invest 2% of the City’s pension portfolio, which amounts to $4 billion, in climate solutions.
Electric vehicles and buses have made tremendous inroads, and battery range has dramatically increased in recent years. One electric bus company reported that their buses travel over 1,000 miles on a single charge. There are also efforts worldwide to save forests, which serve as carbon sinks, and to reduce food waste, which emits methane.
I came away from the summit hopeful, and ready to get to work to develop and implement Highland Park’s climate goals.