Canadian Municipalities Unite for Climate Action at GCoM Canada Implementation Cohort Session in Montréal
Montréal, September 10, 2024 — The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) in Canada, in partnership with ICLEI Canada and supported by the European Union (EU), convened the final training session of the GCoM Canada Implementation Cohort yesterday in Montréal. The session brought together representatives from 14 Canadian cities committed to advancing local climate action through collaboration and innovation.
Empowering Municipal Leadership
Since its inception in January 2024, the GCoM Canada Implementation Cohort has served as a collaborative platform for municipal staff to develop and implement effective climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. The program aims to accelerate local climate action by providing training, resources, and opportunities for knowledge exchange among Canadian municipalities.
Key Highlights from the Session
The day-long event featured a series of presentations, workshops, and discussions led by experts in the field of climate action:
- Welcome and Opening Remarks: Megan Meaney, Executive Director of ICLEI Canada, opened the session marking that “The collaborative spirit demonstrated by these 14 cities underscores the critical role that municipalities play in driving climate action. By sharing knowledge and resources, we are collectively advancing toward a more sustainable and resilient future.” Opening words were also shared by Monika Norkute, Program Officer at the EU Delegation in Canada “We understand the importance of governments working across boundaries – local, to regional, to provincial, to national, to international – to address Global Climate Challenges. Cities are the most affected and therefore central to the solutions”, and by Andy Deacon, Co-Managing Director of GCoM.
- Plan Climat Presentation: Sidney Ribaux, Director of the Bureau de la Transition Écologique et de la Résilience for the City of Montréal, presented on Montréal’s “Plan Climat” and the Partenariat Climat Montréal. The session highlighted the city’s adaptation indicators and strategies for ecological transition.
- Adaptation Indicators Workshop: Participants engaged in an interactive workshop focused on developing and utilizing adaptation indicators to measure and enhance climate resilience at the municipal level.
- Accessing Federal Finance: Sebastien Hamel Advisor for GCom North America and Alex Gilbert from Nexus, provided insights into navigating federal funding opportunities for climate initiatives, offering practical guidance on securing financial support for municipal projects.
- Energy Poverty Session: Abhilash Kantamneni, Director of Action Research at Efficiency Canada, led a comprehensive session on energy poverty. The workshop explored the multidimensional nature of energy poverty, its connection to housing, climate, and justice, and strategies for measurement and mitigation.
- Implementation Considerations Workshop: The day concluded with a workshop addressing practical considerations for implementing climate action plans, enabling municipalities to turn strategies into tangible results.
Looking Ahead
The session not only marked the culmination of months of collaboration but also set the stage for ongoing partnerships and actions. Municipal representatives left equipped with enhanced knowledge, practical tools, and a strengthened network to further their climate initiatives.
About the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM)
GCoM is the largest global alliance for city climate leadership, uniting a worldwide coalition of over 13,000 cities and local governments. The coalition works toward a resilient and low-emission society by mobilizing and supporting ambitious, measurable climate and energy action. In Canada, GCoM supports municipalities in accelerating their climate commitments and actions.
About ICLEI Canada
ICLEI Canada works with a wide-variety of stakeholders from across government, industry, academia and the NGO community to build more sustainable, low-carbon, energy efficient, climate-ready communities.Canadian ICLEI members are part of a global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 125+ countries, we influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development. Our Members and team of experts work together through peer exchange, partnerships and capacity building to create systemic change for urban sustainability.
Media Contacts
For more information or to request interviews, please contact:
Alexandra Cortés – Communication Expert for GCoM Américas
José Moreno – Communication Advisor for GCoM Américas
