Declaration on commitments to battle climate change announced

Representatives of cities and regions of the world, gathered here since July 1, announced on Thursday a series of commitments to battle climate change which, collectively, represent 1.5 billion tons of carbon emission reduction by 2020.

In a declaration signed by some 50 organizations representing local authorities, civil societies and non governmental organizations, territorial action was placed at the heart of the response to climate change and support was declared for "a collaborative approach to the fight against climate change."

"A successful strategy against climate change requires public policies and non-State actors' measures to be articulated on the basis of a robust local approach," said the declaration.

The signers of the declaration also called on national governments and financial institutions to upscale financial resources dedicated to the fight against climate change.

They also pledged to share good practices and cooperation and reinforce dialogue and synergies.

In a video message from French Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius, who was held by the Iran nuclear talks in Vienna, said "the mobilization of cities, regions and territories is absolutely essential," reaffirming "it is not an option but an obligation."

Some 800 representatives of local authorities, civil societies and non-governmental organizations from more than 80 countries, French president Francois Hollande, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General on Climate Change Janos Pasztor, Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo participated in the summit. Endit