The IUCN Local Action Summit took place on 3 September 2021—the opening day of the IUCN World Conservation Congress—in Marseille, France. Leaders convened to showcase and galvanise conservation efforts in cities and regions, make the case for a nature-based recovery to COVID-19, and announce ambitious action pledges for nature. Here follows a transcript of the speech delivered by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Philip Braat.
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, it is my immense honour and pleasure as the Lord Provost of Glasgow to be given this opportunity to address you today.
As we are all aware, the climate emergency is the single most pressing topic globally.
I am proud to say that Glasgow, in recognition of the urgency of climate change was the first UK city to declare the climate and ecological emergency back in 2019. Since then, we have already taken significant steps as we work to become one of the most sustainable cities in Europe.
We all recognize that we have a duty as citizens and custodians of this planet, to work together to create a just world that the values of conserves nature. Since Glasgow is a firm friend of France, with a longstanding twinning arrangement with the City of Marseille, spanning more than 20 years now, I am delighted to be able to send this virtual message outlining Glasgow’s commitment to these values on behalf of our citizens and indeed, the world’s wider global citizenship. We recognize that collective and radical action is required in order to reduce harmful emissions, enhance our natural environment, but also to build a more climate-resilient city.
With this mission in mind, Glasgow’s Climate Emergency Working Group identified 61 recommendations to achieve net-zero carbon by 2030.
While the city’s Ecological Emergency Working Group produced 25 recommendations to halt and reverse the decline of biodiversity and habitat.
In response to the recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which highlights the need to address increasingly dangerous global warming, we as a city, adopted Glasgow’s Climate Plan in June of this year, designed to achieve net-zero carbon by 2030.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is a climate plan which will help put Glasgow in the best possible position to achieve its ambitions, introducing ground-breaking technology and initiatives to help reduce the city’s emissions while also ensuring that the transition to net-zero carbon is fair to all Glaswegians. Glasgow’s Climate Plan also involves local partners, particularly those included in our Sustainable Glasgow Partnership, as well as national government and associated agencies. The Sustainable Glasgow Partnership aims to position Glasgow as a leading city in the development of the green and circular economy. The collaborative approach we have taken in tackling climate change will be crucial, as we look to 2030 and beyond. We are all committed and focused on delivering a healthier, more equitable and resilient city as we manage our city’s recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
I am proud to say, that Glasgow shares the view of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature that nature-based solutions will be fundamental to our success because it puts nature at the centre of all our climate change, public health, and green recovery policies and decisions.
We are ensuring that all our decisions policies and development proposals are aligned with that overarching aim.
That will be at the heart of goals was forthcoming COP26 – the 26th UN Climate Change Conference. We are thrilled to be hosting such an important climate change conference, and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone to our wonderful city – a city not only famed for holding world-class events, but also for our hospitality and friendliness.
I send the city’s very best wishes to you all. In Glasgow, we are proud of our long and enduring cultural affinity and friendship with France, and particularly of our cherished twinning status with the City of Marseille.