What Is The C40 Agreement?

June 8, 2024
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The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, often referred to as C40 or C40 Cities, is not an agreement itself, but rather a network of megacities around the world working together to address climate change. Here’s a breakdown of what C40 is and what it does:

What is C40?

A global network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities.
Established in 2005 by former London Mayor Ken Livingstone.
Focuses on collaborative action to tackle climate change.

Goals of C40:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in member cities.
Help cities meet the goals set forth in the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels.
Build healthy, equitable, and resilient communities through climate action.

Activities of C40:

Sharing best practices: C40 cities exchange knowledge and successful initiatives to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.
Setting ambitious climate targets: C40 encourages member cities to set and achieve ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Developing and implementing climate action plans: C40 supports cities in creating and implementing robust climate action plans.
Advocating for climate action: C40 lobbies governments and businesses to support climate-friendly policies and practices.

Benefits of C40:

Accelerates climate action: Collaboration allows cities to learn from each other and implement effective solutions faster.
Raises global profile: C40 gives member cities a powerful voice in international climate negotiations.
Attracts investment: Cities with ambitious climate goals are more attractive to businesses and investors seeking sustainable opportunities.

How Does The C40 Work To Bring Change?

The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) isn’t about enforcing a single agreement; it’s about collaboration and empowerment. Here’s how C40 works to bring change:

Network & Knowledge Sharing: C40’s core strength lies in its network of nearly 100 megacities. Cities exchange successful initiatives and best practices to tackle climate change. This allows them to learn from each other’s experiences and adapt solutions that work in their specific context.
Setting Ambitious Goals: C40 encourages member cities to set high bars for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These ambitious goals push cities to innovate and explore cutting-edge solutions.
Developing Action Plans: C40 doesn’t just talk the talk, it helps cities walk the walk. They offer technical assistance and resources to member cities in creating and implementing robust climate action plans. These plans outline specific strategies and timelines for achieving the city’s climate goals.
Advocacy & Influence: C40 doesn’t work in isolation. They actively lobby governments and businesses to promote climate-friendly policies and practices. This creates a ripple effect, influencing policies beyond C40 member cities.
Multiplier Effect: C40’s network creates a multiplier effect. Their small team can reach a vast network of city officials through knowledge-sharing platforms and events. This allows them to spread best practices and inspire climate action across a wider range of cities than individual efforts could achieve.
Peer Pressure (the good kind): C40 fosters a healthy sense of competition among member cities. When a city achieves success, it motivates others to step up their efforts. Seeing other cities implement effective solutions creates a positive pressure to achieve shared goals.
Economies of Scale: Collaboration allows C40 cities to leverage their collective power. For instance, when multiple cities come together for agreements with technical assistance partners, they can negotiate better rates and resources, making climate action more accessible and affordable.

What Cities Are On The List Of C40?

The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) has nearly 100 member cities across the globe. There isn’t a single, definitive list readily available on their website, but here are a few ways to find the current member cities:

C40 Cities Website: While the website doesn’t have a single downloadable list, you can explore their “Our Cities” section (https://www.c40.org/). This section allows you to browse member cities by region (Central East Asia, East, Southeast Asia & Oceania, Europe, Middle East & North Africa, North America, South America) or search for a specific city using the search bar.
Wikipedia: The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group Wikipedia page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C40) has a section titled “Member cities.” However, this section might not be the most up-to-date list.
C40 News & Announcements: Following C40’s news and announcements (https://www.c40.org/) can keep you updated on new member cities joining the network.

Here are some of the notable member cities as of today, June 8, 2024 (based on website information):

Americas: Los Angeles, New York City, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Toronto
Europe: Berlin, London, Paris, Rome
Asia: Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore
Africa: Johannesburg, Lagos

Is Columbus, Ohio A Part Of The C40?

Based on my knowledge as of today, June 8, 2024, Columbus, Ohio is not currently listed as a member city of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. I searched the methods we discussed previously:

The C40 Cities website’s “Our Cities” section (https://www.c40.org/) allows browsing by region and search, but Columbus, Ohio isn’t listed.
The C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group Wikipedia page (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C40_Cities_Climate_Leadership_Group) has a section titled “Member cities” which may not be exhaustive, and Columbus isn’t listed there either.

However, there is a possibility that Columbus collaborates with C40 in other ways, even if not a formal member. Here’s why:

Columbus Climate Action Plan: The City of Columbus released a climate action plan in 2023, and according to an article https://www.arup.com/news-and-events/columbus-ohio-climate-action-plan-released-with-arup, the plan mentions working with C40 as a partner in its development. This suggests some form of collaboration between Columbus and C40.