Durban has been awarded another feather in its cap for its climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives.

Mayor of eThekwini Municipality James Nxumalo announced that Durban will be joining the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40), an invitation-only global network of cities who are committed to tackling climate change and increasing urban resilience.

Durban joins with Innovator City status, a membership category for cities that have shown clear leadership in environmental and climate change work.

Nxumalo said he was excited by this announcement and being part of the C40 group will afford the City an opportunity to interact and network with cities from across the world that share similar challenges as we do.

“This interaction will strengthen our knowledge and ability to deal with climate change on a local level, while still ensuring sustainable service delivery. It fits in with our vision to make eThekwini the most caring and liveable city in Africa.”

Durban Climate Change Strategy

Durban is addressing climate change through the implementation of its Durban Climate Change Strategy, which covers the areas of water distribution, sea level rise, biodiversity, food security, waste and pollution, transport and transition to a low carbon economy.

As a host city of UN COP17 in 2011, Durban actively mobilised other local authorities to develop the Durban Adaptation Charter, which was signed by 107 mayors and local government officials worldwide and set out to intensify action and accelerate local adaptation efforts.

The eThekwini Municipality has also developed a strong climate change measurement competency and reports annually on its green-house gas emissions.

Durban’s innovations also include the Durban Open Space System (DMOSS), among others. An environmental layer has also been written into the town planning schemes to ensure that sensitive environmental areas are conserved and protected from development.

“To strengthen our global representation, C40’s expansion strategy is focused primarily on regions where urbanisation is taking place at an increasing rate, and where cities face the greatest challenges in developing sustainably,” said C40 Chair, Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes.

Eduardo Paes further said that he was pleased to welcome Durban to the C40, as an established climate leader in their region and as a city with original local solutions to share with our network as we work to address climate change on a global scale.