Industry and civil society associations have pledged to significantly reduce their carbon footprint and promote greener living by joining the Climate Neutral Network led by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

The announcement comes on Go Carbon Neutral Day held as part of Global Climate Week (September 21-25) , which is being marked by synchronized action in close to 100 cities to urge world leaders to seal a fair and effective climate agreement at the UN Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen this December.

"The growth of the climate neutral movement around the world is a clear sign that people from all walks of life are committed to solving the climate crisis and bringing about low-carbon economies and societies," UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner said in a statement obtained here.

"This groundswell of public support comes just weeks ahead of the crucial UN climate change conference in Copenhagen, where world leaders will have a unique opportunity to move our economies and societies onto a greener development path," he added.

The new umbrella groups joining forces with the Climate Neutral Network are ICLEI -- Local Governments for Sustainability which is a network of 1,078 cities worldwide, a movement that drives change and an agency that delivers information and services.

ICLEI is leading the Cities for Climate Protection campaign and the Local Government Climate Roadmap which advocates for a stronger role for cities in the future international climate regime.

It is estimated that more than 75 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are linked to cities, which are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

"As the largest global network of local governments dedicated to sustainable development, ICLEI is pleased to partner with UNEP on the Climate Neutral Cities component of the Climate Neutral Network," said Konrad Otto-Zimmermann, ICLEI secretary general.

"We are proud to share our 18-year experience in local climate action planning and to motivate our member cities to go down the path towards climate neutrality," he said.

UNEP and ICLEI will work together to assist cities and municipalities around the world to develop innovative strategies to reduce carbon emissions, including promoting non-motorised forms of transport, better energy use and consumption, green buildings and awareness raising campaigns.

(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2009)