2024-08-18 14:08:54
At the “Cities for Climate: Results 2023” event held in Cuenca, nearly 20 municipalities in Ecuador reaffirmed their commitment to climate action. This national meeting highlighted the participation of municipalities in two important international initiatives: the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Cities Challenge (OPCC).
The GCoM, the largest global alliance of cities committed to combating climate change, has been promoted in Ecuador since 2018 thanks to the collaboration between the Association of Ecuadorian Municipalities (AME), the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition (MAATE), the Mayor’s Office of the Metropolitan District of Quito (DMQ) and WWF Ecuador, with the support of the Delegation of the European Union in Ecuador. Currently, 14 Ecuadorian cities are part of this alliance.
The event presented the achievements made until 2023, including nine medals in the pillars of adaptation, mitigation and access to energy. Cities such as Guayaquil, Quito, Cuenca, Lago Agrio, Ambato and Montecristi were recognized for their progress. Quito and Cuenca were also highlighted as Emblematic Cities of the Global Compact in Latin America.
WWF’s OPCC initiative, which in its 2024 edition saw the participation of more than 350 local governments from almost 50 countries, was also a major focus of the event. Cuenca was named National Winner of the 2024 Cities Challenge for its strategies in mobility, energy and waste management, while Portoviejo was shortlisted for its leadership in water, sanitation and ecosystem adaptation projects.
The meeting brought together delegations from the municipalities of Portoviejo, Manta, Montecristi, Guayaquil, Quito, Latacunga, Ambato, Cuenca, Loja, Nueva Loja (Lago Agrio), Santa Cruz, Santa Elena, Ibarra, Baños de Agua Santa, Puyo (Pastaza), Esmeraldas, Bahía de Caráquez (Sucre), Samborondón and Salinas. Representatives of the Delegation of the European Union in Ecuador, AME/Focal Point for GCoM Ecuador and WWF Ecuador also attended.
This event sought to strengthen collaboration between municipalities and raise awareness about sustainable urban-rural management, highlighting the crucial role of municipal leaders in the fight against climate change. The results presented reflect a firm commitment to sustainability and territorial resilience in Ecuador.