NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell joined a group of leading global city leaders to meet with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry. The virtual meeting, convened by C40 Cities, provided an opportunity to discuss collaborations on climate initiatives and continue momentum around a renewed sense of international climate cooperation.
“In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw the decline of work in our hospitality and tourism industries, a workforce whose majority is made up of Black residents,” said Mayor Cantrell. “On our road to an equitable recovery in New Orleans, we must focus on getting our displaced workers into new, sustainable career fields. Now is the time for us to pivot toward more growth sectors, and we see that being in blue and green infrastructure.”
Mayor Cantrell briefed Secretary Kerry on the climate policies and projects being delivered in New Orleans and our commitment to inclusive climate action in line with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement. Speakers also shared ideas on how to build national government support for city climate action and ambition on the road to COP26.
“The climate crisis demands leadership, and mayors around the world are providing it through bold and ambitious commitments and actions, in pursuit of a green and just recovery,” said U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry. “We will work with them, as part of a global movement to fight climate change, and build a better, greener, and more equitable future.”
One year since the launch of the C40 Global Mayors COVID-19 Recovery Task Force, mayors in the meeting welcomed the efforts of the Biden administration to support and invest in a green recovery in the United States. Mayor Cantrell joined colleagues in calling for governments around the world to work with cities to secure a Green and Just Recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
“The problems we face as a global society — whether rising emissions, a deadly virus, or economic upheaval — aren’t limited by municipal borders or national boundaries, so know our solutions can’t be either,” said C40 Chair and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “With the Biden administration restoring America’s climate leadership worldwide, partnerships like the one between C40 Mayors and Secretary Kerry are instrumental in advancing our collective vision for an equitable, low-carbon recovery from the pandemic.”
###