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C40 expands support for climate initiatives in Latin America
The Climate Action Implementation programme will help Bogotá, Guadalajara, Lima, Medellín and Mexico City progress plans to become carbon-neutral by 2050.
C40 Cities has announced it is expanding support for five Latin American cities to develop ambitious climate action implementation plans.
Running through to December 2025, the Climate Action Implementation (CAI) programme will help these cities on their way to becoming carbon-neutral by 2050 and secure a greener future for more than 35 million residents in the region.
Energy efficiency
C40 will provide tailored technical assistance and capacity building to the cities of Bogotá, Guadalajara, Lima, Medellín and Mexico City, in support of city-led efforts to improve energy efficiency and transportation and to incorporate climate considerations into planning and governance.
“Bogotá is undertaking bold climate action, implementing its climate action plan and prioritising equity and inclusion,” said Claudia López, Bogotá mayor and C40 vice chair.
Several months ago, Bogotá launched ‘La Rolita’ – the city public transit operator – in which C40 is supporting the training of women to drive 195 brand new e-buses that will enhance zero-emissions transit coverage in city areas where it is most needed.
“With the support of C40’s CAI, this programme will foster the implementation phase of actions related to energy, transport and climate mainstreaming in city governance structures”
Additionally, as part of a mobility plan, Bogotá is prioritising sustainable and active mobility, setting ambitious policy goals for pedestrians and cyclists, implementing green corridors, vital neighbourhoods, bicycle networks and revitalised public space.
Air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels may have caused more than 8.7 million deaths worldwide in 2018, that is, one in five deaths that year, according to research by Harvard University in collaboration with the University of Birmingham, University of Leicester and University College London.
Latin American countries were among those with the highest proportions worldwide of deaths attributed to air pollution from burning fossil fuels, including Mexico (1st at 10.7 per cent), Peru (6th at 8.5 per cent) and Colombia (8th at 8.1 per cent). With continued economic development, urbanisation and population growth across the region, CO2 emissions in transport will continue to grow without ambitious policy interventions.
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According to a C40’s Air Quality Technical Assistance report on Lima’s assessment of the low-emission zone “Área de Emisiones Reducidas” (AER) project, to be implemented in its city centre, the annual average concentration of fine particulate matter was over seven times the World Health Organisation’s guideline in 2020, making air pollution a persistent problem for Lima. Air pollutants particularly affect children and the elderly.
The air quality improvement as a result of the implementation of the AER, would reduce the health burden of cardiovascular, respiratory, diabetes and lung cancer deaths to Lima residents.
“Bogotá is undertaking bold climate action, implementing its climate action plan and prioritising equity and inclusion”
“Bogotá, Medellín, Guadalajara, Mexico City and Lima have all launched ambitious and science-based climate action plans in recent years,” said Ilan Cuperstein, C40’s regional director for Latin America.
“Now, with the support of C40’s CAI, this programme will foster the implementation phase of actions related to energy, transport and climate mainstreaming in city governance structures.”
C40 will support two locally led projects in each of the five cities. They include:
Bogotá, Colombia:
- Structure and implement medium- and long-term pedestrian mobility strategies
- Complete training of up to 200 female drivers for 195 new electric buses (e-buses).
Guadalajara, Mexico:
- Create low-emission polygons with last-mile vehicle decarbonisation pilots
- Formulate and adopt an energy efficiency standard for public buildings.
Lima, Peru:
- Prioritise and build part of the 640 km (approximately 100km) of cycle lanes projected to be built in Metropolitan Lima by 2030
- Define co-benefits of the pedestrian historical centre in Lima in vulnerable groups, for further design and implementation in extension areas.
Medellín, Colombia:
- Expand the city’s low-emission zone (ZUAP) to improve the health of urban dwellers and redesign up to two streets into pedestrian streets
- Develop a pilot project that expands access to sustainable, clean energy in vulnerable neighbourhoods by implementing energy efficiency measures and installing solar panels on the roofs and terraces of public buildings and residential homes.
Mexico City, Mexico:
- Complete offer and demand studies to renovate the fleet of public buses in six administrative territories of the city
- Create and adopt a technical norm for electric public transportation in the city.
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How will training female drivers for electric buses impact Bogotá's transit system?What are the expected health benefits of expanding low-emission zones in Medellín?How can energy efficiency standards improve public building sustainability in Guadalajara?What role do cycle lanes play in Lima's plan to reduce urban air pollution?How will technical norms for electric public transportation enhance Mexico City's fleet?Latest City Profile
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