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11.07.2019

Cities call upon Chancellor Merkel for more ambitious climate action

Presidents of three city networks write appeal as number of municipal climate emergency declarations rises.

The three city networks active in Europe have written an appeal to Chancellor Merkel for resolute climate action. "There is a massive difference between what the German Federal Government formulates as a goal and what is implemented at national level. Many municipalities have been striving for ambitious climate targets for a long time. We will all make better progress if we take this issue seriously and if we work together," emphasises Andreas Wolter, Mayor of the City of Cologne and President of the Climate Alliance city network. In an open letter to the Chancellor, the presidents of the Climate Alliance, Energy Cities and ICLEI networks proposed a strategic partnership with the German Federal Government on the basis of a permanent exchange. In addition, the Federal Government must create good framework conditions for local climate protection. This includes extended and adapted financing of local climate protection measures. Among the concrete demands are the introduction of climate protection as a mandatory task at all political levels, the passive house standard for buildings and a levy on CO2 emissions. The letter comes at a time when many cities and municipalities in Germany and Europe are declaring a climate emergency. The undersigned presidents of all three city networks are Mayors of German cities.

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