Next December, Paris will host the 21st United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP21), during which tens of thousands of participants from all continents will join forces to plan shared action against climate change.

Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo and Michael Bloomberg, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, yesterday announced that they will co-chair the Climate Summit for Local Leaders, which will take place during the COP21 on 4 December 2015. 1,000 mayors are expected to attend this summit.

The summit, focused on local mayors and leaders, will empower subnational governments to set more ambitious targets in terms of combating climate change. It will also ensure that every city’s voice is heard during the COP21, and that their efforts are taken into account during the treaty notifications.

Anne Hidalgo and Michael Bloomberg, 30.07.2015 © City of Paris

50% of the world’s largest cities have already committed to cutting their emissions by at least 70% by 2050.

Please click here to watch an introductory video prepared by the City of Paris.

Anne Hidalgo and Michael Bloomberg also published an opinion piece in the Huffington Post, emphasizing the key importance of cities in the global fight for climate.