As Montreal prepares to host COP15 on the protection of biodiversity, Mayor Valérie Plante is challenging cities around the world to take their own actions to preserve species and ecosystems.
“When we talk about COP15, although it is happening at the state level, […] cities can also take extremely concrete actions because we are on the front line,” said Ms.me Plante, Wednesday, during the meeting of the executive committee.
She gives examples of measures taken by Montreal to promote biodiversity: acquisition of land for the creation of the Grand Parc de l’Ouest, ban on single-use plastic bags, ban on certain pesticides and support for pollination.
It therefore invites cities everywhere to join the Montreal Commitment by initiating 15 actions, among which we find the elimination of plastic waste, the reduction of the use of pesticides, the reduction of pollution from all sources, increasing the area of green and blue spaces and improving access to these spaces, controlling invasive alien species and conserving existing natural environments through systems of protected areas.
According to Mme Plante, the mayors of Paris, Milan, Buenos Aires, Barcelona, Freetown and Bogota have confirmed their participation in this challenge.
Discussions about this commitment began between elected municipal officials during the C40 meeting, held recently in Buenos Aires around the theme of the climate, in which Valérie Plante took part.
“The cities too, we decided to organize ourselves to emphasize the importance of being around the table during these major negotiations,” said the mayor.
The COP15 for the protection of biodiversity will bring together, from December 7 to 19, 10,000 to 15,000 delegates from 190 countries. However, it is not expected that Heads of State and Government will participate.