Now, nine Pacific mayors have teamed up with cities across the world through the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) to drive a bottom-up response that will protect the well-being of local people.

These nine cities, Suva, Lautoka, Labasa and Savusavu in Fiji; Honiara and Tulagi in Solomon Islands, Betio and Teinainano in Kiribati and Puna’auia in Tahiti, are developing Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans, so that they can better anticipate the ill-effects of climate change, and help to slow its progress. They are also working with the ‘Nationally Determined Contribution,’ the climate plan that the national government is developing to fulfill its obligations under the Paris Agreement. Their aim is to translate this national plan into the local context so that it can be effectively implemented at city and town level.

Pedro Velazquez Hernandez, the Acting Head of Cooperation while welcoming the Pacific majors to our climate project workshop said: ‘‘Climate planning at the local level is not just a responsibility; it's a chance to shape the future. The Global Covenant of Mayors can help communities in the Pacific by developing climate action plans that can help identify projects and technological solutions, as well as facilitate access to finance.’’

"In a world defined by climate uncertainty, designing for resilience is no longer optional," said Patrick Daniel-Ramananarivo, Team Leader for Climate Change, Environment and Oceans, at #PUF6 open plenary on Climate Action for Pacific cities and towns.

Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific

By adding their names as signatories of the Global Covenant of Mayors, these Pacific cities have entered a community that can provide technical support to identify and address climate-related risks specific to their territories. Droughts, floods, coastal erosion and waste management are among the challenges being tackled. The Global Covenant of Mayors provides crucial support by analyzing local climate impacts and guiding municipalities in implementing effective adaptation measures. The initiative also assists  in accessing international funding, enabling cities to invest in climate change initiatives and build a sustainable future.

As part of the funding from the European Union, the Global Covenant of Mayors’ technical support service will support cities during the process of joining the Global Covenant of Mayors and developing Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans. The cities in three countries will benefit from this technical assistance in the Pacific region. By joining forces under the Global Covenant of Mayors, these entities are championing a brighter future, where cities thrive, communities flourish, and sustainable development becomes a reality.

The mission of the Global Covenant of Mayors is to empower cities and local authorities, boosting their role as key players in the fight against climate change. By signing up, these cities commit to developing Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans that outline strategies for low-emission development and climate adaptation. The signatories gain access to vital technical assistance, guidance, and support tools, enabling cities to accelerate their climate and energy initiatives.