Global Covenant of Mayors: City Climate Action Alliance

The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) stands as the world's largest alliance of cities and local governments dedicated to combating climate change. This powerful movement unites over 12,500 cities across 144 countries, representing more than 1 billion people committed to a shared vision for a sustainable future. GCoM's core mission is to empower local leaders to accelerate climate solutions, aiming for an inclusive, just, low-emission, and climate-resilient society that aligns with the objectives of the Paris Agreement. Cities joining GCoM are at the forefront of global efforts, demonstrating leadership by taking concrete measures in climate change mitigation, adaptation to adverse effects, and ensuring universal access to clean and affordable energy. This alliance provides a vital platform for cities to connect, collaborate, and amplify their influence in the worldwide movement toward sustainability. It supports cities by offering guidance, tools, and opportunities to drive impactful climate action on a local level, ultimately contributing to a healthier and greener planet.

Pathways to Urban Climate Commitment

• Submit a signed commitment letter from an appropriate local official. This formally pledges the city's dedication to climate action.
• Pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resilience to climate change, and transparently track progress.
• Develop a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and conduct an assessment of climate risks.
• Set measurable emissions targets, ambitious climate adaptation goals, and sustainable energy access goals in line with the Paris Agreement. These targets should be at least as ambitious as national contributions.
• Formally adopt plans and targets within three years of making a commitment.

Navigating the Reporting & Data Portals

1. GCoM committed cities utilize specialized online platforms for reporting their climate data and actions. There isn't a single 'login' portal directly on the GCoM main website for general access. Instead, signatories engage with recognized reporting platforms.
2. Two primary officially recognized reporting platforms are available: CDP-ICLEI Track and the MyCovenant platform. Both are designed to align fully with the GCoM Common Reporting Framework (CRF) requirements.
3. To access these platforms, cities typically register through the respective platform's system. Details for accessing and using these platforms, including guidance and training, are usually provided by the platforms themselves or through GCoM's regional helpdesks.
4. A city needs to report to only one of these platforms to fulfill its GCoM commitments. These platforms allow cities to submit assessments, targets, plans, and progress on energy access and poverty.

Collective Impact: Benefits for Member Cities

• Strategic Guidance and Practical Tools: GCoM provides guidance materials, tools, and resources to support cities in planning, implementing, and monitoring their climate and energy actions.
• Enhanced Visibility and International Recognition: Member cities gain international visibility and recognition as leaders in climate action, demonstrating their commitment on a global stage.
• Access to Financial Opportunities: While GCoM does not directly transfer funds, it helps cities identify and access national and international climate financing opportunities for local projects.
• Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: The alliance fosters collaboration and the sharing of best practices among peers worldwide, through networks and events like the Innovate4Cities Conference.
• Robust Reporting Framework: The Common Reporting Framework (CRF) standardizes reporting procedures, ensuring transparency and a robust evidence base for local climate activities.
• Data Portal for Cities: A dedicated data portal enables cities to access third-party datasets and develop greenhouse gas inventories under international standards, offering a solid foundation for evidence-based climate action plans.
• Capacity Building and Training: GCoM offers technical and financial capacity-building activities and training to help local policymakers tackle sustainability and climate challenges effectively.

Support for Your Climate Action Journey

Upholding Trust in Climate Data Management

• 🔒 Transparent Reporting Standards: GCoM emphasizes transparent data reporting through its Common Reporting Framework (CRF), uniting local data, actions, and voices to ensure accountability and robust evidence for climate action.
• 🔒 Privacy Statements: The official GCoM website maintains a detailed Privacy Statement and Cookie Policy to inform users about data collection, usage, and protection practices. Always review these policies for transparency.
• 🔒 Secure Data Submission: When submitting sensitive climate action data to reporting platforms like CDP-ICLEI Track or MyCovenant, ensure these platforms utilize secure data transmission protocols and robust data protection measures. These platforms are integral to the secure management of reported information.
• 🔒 Responsible Data Usage: GCoM aims to use aggregated data to track collective progress and impact, ensuring that individual city data contributes to global climate assessment while maintaining data integrity.

Essential Questions for Prospective and Current Members