We’ve entered a pledge with 30 cities around the world to increase greenery and reduce the impacts of flash flooding and the urban heat island effect.
Cities like London, Los Angeles and Tokyo have signed the C40 urban nature declaration to address heat and water-related risks resulting from climate change caused by carbon dioxide emissions.
All participating cities have committed to ensure 30% to 40% of their total built-up city surface area consists of green space by 2030. They’ve also committed to ensure spaces vulnerable to flooding are designed to absorb water.
As studies show, equitable access to urban nature benefits people and the environment. It helps cities adapt and respond to the current and future impacts of climate change.
Cities signing the C40 agreement will promote accessibility and connection for vulnerable communities. They’ve pledged to ensure 70% of their city’s population has access to green spaces or waterways within a 15-minute walk or bike ride by 2030.
Our commitment to the C40 declaration follows years of work to green our city. Our Greening Sydney Strategy outlines our plans to cover 40% of the city in greenery by 2050.
C40 is a network of the world’s megacities committed to addressing climate change. It supports cities to collaborate effectively, share knowledge and drive meaningful, measurable and sustainable action.
Cities taking the pledge include Athens, Austin, Barcelona, Berlin, Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Copenhagen, Curitiba, Durban, Freetown, Guadalajara, Haifa, Lima, London, Los Angeles, Medellín, Milan, Mumbai, New Orleans, Paris, Quezon City, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Rotterdam, Salvador, Seattle, Stockholm, Sydney, Tel Aviv, Tokyo and Toronto.
As greenhouse gas emissions cause temperatures and sea levels to rise globally, it has never been more urgent to accelerate efforts to bring nature into cities. By 2050, over 570 cities will be vulnerable to sea-levels rising, more than 500 cities will be vulnerable to water availability, and over 970 cities will be vulnerable to extreme heat.
While many global cities continue to oversee an erosion of canopy cover and subsequent rise in heat loads, we are one of only a few councils in Australia that has consistently increased canopy cover since 2008.
Signing the C40 urban nature declaration is an important step to help build climate action momentum and leadership across the global community.
The Greening Sydney Strategy 2030 will be put before Council on Monday 21 July for final endorsement.
Published 15 July 2021
