Mayor Walsh joins compact of Mayors committed to climate action

The Compact unites cities with a common goal to drive climate action, building on Boston's continued commitment through its existing Climate Action Plan.

"Cities play a critical role in the fight against climate change, and collaboration is key," said Mayor Walsh. "I am proud we are able to build on our Administration's work to address climate change and to have Boston join other leading cities in spearheading those efforts."

Launched at the 2014 United Nations Climate Summit, the Compact of Mayors is the world's largest coalition of city leaders addressing climate change by pledging to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, tracking their progress and preparing for the impacts of climate change.

"The Green Ribbon Commission applauds Mayor Walsh's decision to join the Compact of Mayors," said Amos Hostetter, who Co-Chairs the Boston Green Ribbon Commission with Mayor Walsh. "For cities that are committed to and already showing leadership on climate, the Compact offers a powerful platform to share what's working, to learn from others, and to advance solutions to climate change."

Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space, Austin Blackmon is currently representing Mayor Walsh today at the first U.S.-China Climate Leaders Summit in Los Angeles. The Summit is the first official convening of U.S. and Chinese leaders to share best practices, discuss objectives, and work together in their climate and sustainability goals.

"On the frontlines of global climate change, cities are well-positioned to play a leadership role in driving global action to address climate change," said Chief Blackmon. "The City of Boston is eager to continue to lead in those efforts.

The Summit achieves a key element of the U.S.-China Joint Announcement on Climate Change by Presidents Obama and Xi last November and is an important milestone in the run up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in December.

In January, Mayor Martin J. Walsh released the Greenovate Boston 2014 Climate Action Plan Update, taking steps to prepare the City of Boston for the impacts of climate change and celebrating the City's progress towards reducing GHG emissions 25 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. By laying out the necessary steps to reduce the causes of and to prepare for climate change, the Climate Action Plan gives the Boston community a framework for building a greener, healthier and more prosperous city.

About The Green Ribbon Commission The Boston Green Ribbon Commission, formed in 2011 and now co-chaired by Mayor Walsh, is a group of business, institutional and civic leaders in Boston working to develop shared strategies for fighting climate change in support of the City's Climate Action Plan. Visit  http://www.greenribboncommission.org for more details.