Joins cities across the globe lighting up their landmark buildings green in a show of global solidarity
Istanbul joined cities across the globe lighting up their landmark buildings in green to reaffirm their deep commitment to the highest ambitions of the Paris Agreement five years after it was negotiated.
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) celebrated the fifth anniversary of the COP21 Paris Agreement, by organizing an event at the municipality building in Saraçhane in Istanbul. The IMM building was illuminated with green lights this evening, and in collaboration with the C40 cities. Thus, Istanbul has taken its place as a global supporter in the front line for the Paris Agreement.
A total of 17 cities, including Istanbul, Paris, New York and Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, Barcelona and Seoul, will illuminate their landmarks in green tonight and will participate in the event organized by the C40 Climate Leadership Group, which consists of 40 of the mega cities of the world. The event aims to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement, which was signed on 12 December 2015 to tackle climate change and its negative impacts and was adopted by 195 countries. The IMM, as the city of Istanbul, reiterated its support for the Paris Agreement by attending the event organized by the C40.
The global show of solidarity from the world’s cities comes on the same day as the Climate Ambition Summit 2020, co-hosted by the UK COP26 Presidency, the UN and France in partnership with Chile and Italy.
Istanbul is part of the Race to Zero campaign - a global effort to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, investors and regions ahead of COP26, to strengthen contributions to the Paris Agreement. All partners are committed to achieving a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future climate threats, creates decent jobs and a more inclusive and resilient economy.
After US President Donald Trump had announced his intention to abandon the Paris Agreement in 2017, more than 50 cities around the world had illuminated their landmarks in green in a show of solidarity.
About C40:
C40 is a global network of large cities taking action to address climate change by developing and implementing policies and programs that generate measurable reductions in both greenhouse gas emissions and climate risks. C40 was created in 2005 by former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, and forged a partnership in 2006 with the Cities Program of President Clinton’s Climate Initiative (CCI) to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency in large cities across the world. Under the leadership of then Mayor of Toronto David Miller, who served after Mayor Livingstone as C40 Chair, the organisation advanced programs and partnerships that drew international recognition for the role of cities as leaders in climate action. C40 supports cities to collaborate effectively, share knowledge and drive meaningful, measurable and sustainable action on climate change. Around the world, C40 Cities connects 97 of the world’s greatest cities to take bold climate action, leading the way towards a healthier and more sustainable future. Representing 700+ million citizens and one quarter of the global economy. The C40 has 11 city members from Africa, 31 from Asia, 19 from Europe including Istanbul, 27 from America and 3 from Oceania.
