Women leaders across the world has called for greater role for women and their groups in the fight against climate change towards implementation of the Paris Agreement.
They argue that women having been major victims of climate change, at the heart of the family and responsible for raising children, they occupy an important position that cannot be neglected.
Mayor Hidalgo, mayor of Paris made the call on Friday at a press briefing to launch “Women4Climate” an initiative for women leadership in tackling climate change at the ongoing COP22 in Marrakech.
Hidalgo joined by other women leaders in the climate change movement and architects of the Paris Agreement, called for the encouragement of greater women leadership in climate change projects.
“More must be done to support female leadership in tackling climate change, warned key figures in the climate change movement, today.
Hidalgo joined by Patricia Espinosa, UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Laurence Tubiana, French Ambassador for Climate Change Negotiations, Hakima El Haite, minister in Charge of Environment, Morocco and Celestine Ketcha-Courtes, mayor of Bangangte, recognised the unique contribution by women mayors and other leaders in securing the landmark Paris Agreement.
Speaking at the COP22 Conference in Marrakech, one year since the Paris Agreement was negotiated, they insisted that women must now have a central role in delivering on the deal in the years ahead.
“The negotiation of the Paris Agreement was concretely delivered by women leaders, and women will be essential in making it a reality in our cities,” said mayor of Paris and C40 Chair-elect, Anne Hidalgo. “There are so many women mayors, deputy mayors, CEO and NGO leaders in cities around the world. I am determined to recognise their unique role that they are playing in transforming our cities. Women are more than ever key to the future of our planet”.
“Implementing the Paris Climate Change Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals is now the common cause of nations,” said Patricia Espinosa, UNFCCC Executive Secretary. “There is abundant evidence that this journey will happen faster and with greater, positive impact, if the leadership role of women at all levels of society is recognized, encouraged and embraced.”
“Cities are leading the way on tackling climate change and female mayors are amongst the most ambitious in delivering on this issue,” said Celestine Ketcha-Courtes, Mayor of Bangangte. “Through powerful initiatives such as the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, we are getting the job done.”
Supporting and celebrating women leaders in climate action will be a key priority for Mayor Hidalgo’s term as C40 Chair, and will be a major theme of the C40 Mayors Summit, the meeting of the world’s most influential mayors to be held in Mexico City from November 30 to December 2. The Summit will bring together the world’s most influential mayors, representing 650 million citizens to present their common goals for a sustainable future, one year after COP21 in Paris
