The Mayor of Montreal is challenging other major cities around the world to commit to protecting biodiversity as the city prepares to host a major United Nations conference next month.
Valérie Plante unveiled Tuesday the “Montreal Commitment”, which includes 15 concrete actions for the preservation of the diversity of species and ecosystems, including the conservation of natural environments, the reduction of the use of pesticides by two thirds or more and disposal of plastic waste.
She stresses that cities are best placed to observe the decline of biodiversity and that they have a responsibility to act to halt it.
Mayor Plante reveals that several major cities have already confirmed their commitment, including Paris, Milan, Buenos Aires and Barcelona.
Montreal will host COP15, a major conference organized by the United Nations and focusing on biodiversity, which is scheduled to take place from December 7 to 19.
In parallel to the main conference, a second summit bringing together regional governments and cities will also be organised.
“Cities are at the forefront of witnessing the loss of global biodiversity and suffering the consequences. As local governments, they are also well placed to act concretely and quickly to curb this decline,” reads the press release published by the City of Montreal.
The “Montréal Commitment” suggests that signatory cities integrate biodiversity into their planning and seek ecological solutions to adapt to climate change.
The signatory cities also undertake to “ensure the equitable and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in decision-making”.
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