Four mayors from Boston, Paris, Freetown, and Quezon City have been recognized by Forbes as Sustainability Leaders for their efforts in combating climate change. Despite the geographical differences between their cities, these mayors have implemented policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase tree cover, and address climate emergencies. By speaking with Freetown Mayor Aki-Sawyerr and Quezon City Mayor Belmonte, we gain insight into the challenges faced by developing world cities in securing funding for sustainability efforts and the importance of local leadership in addressing climate issues.
In Freetown, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr has focused on increasing shade cover and planting trees to combat the effects of climate change, such as heat, air pollution, and flooding. She has set a target of planting 4 million trees by 2028 and has implemented a wastewater plant to convert organic waste into natural energy. Meanwhile, in Quezon City, Mayor Belmonte has introduced initiatives such as expanding the city’s bike path network and launching a “trash-to-cashback” program to incentivize recycling. Her goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
In Boston, Mayor Wu has taken steps to divest the city’s fossil fuel investments, increase compost collection, decarbonize buildings, and electrify the city’s bus fleet. In Paris, Mayor Hidalgo has prioritized sustainability by building bike paths, planting trees, raising parking fees for gas-guzzling vehicles, and promoting sustainability in the city’s hosting of the summer Olympics. Despite their efforts, mayors in developing world cities like Freetown and Quezon City face challenges in securing funding for climate action, as local budgets are stretched and resources are limited.
Aki-Sawyerr and Belmonte emphasize the injustice of developing world cities bearing the brunt of the impacts of climate change despite contributing minimally to the crisis. They advocate for greater support and resources for these communities to address climate challenges. By declaring a climate emergency and prioritizing sustainability, these mayors have been able to allocate more budget towards climate action and justice in their cities. Their dedication to making their cities more sustainable serves as a model for other urban leaders to follow in the fight against climate change.
In a world where interest rates are high and local budgets are limited, mayors like Aki-Sawyerr and Belmonte are working tirelessly to implement innovative solutions to combat climate change. By planting trees, incentivizing recycling, and promoting sustainable practices, they are paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future for their cities. Their efforts, along with those of other sustainability leaders, are crucial in addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change and creating a more resilient and environmentally friendly urban landscape.
