Ilsur Metshin took part in the XXVII Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
The event is attended by about 35 thousand people and 2 thousand speakers.
Ilsur Metshin, Mayor of Kazan, President of the Advisory Committee of Local Authorities (UNACLA) at the United Nations, took part in the XXVII Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change via videoconference. At one of the sessions, he made a report in which he noted that new standards of responsible attitude to climate change issues should become the guideline for city authorities' decisions.
"Our common goal is to stop the growth of climate change, which adversely affects people's quality of life, – said Ilsur Metshin. – As mayors, we are aware of our responsibility for what is happening, since today over 56% of the world's population lives in cities. Cities play a vital role in influencing the climate."
The Mayor of Kazan recalled that the Paris Climate Agreement was signed in 2015. "I remember this day well, the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and the Mayor of Istanbul, Kadir Topbash, were standing next to me. I was proud and happy that we are united in our desire to keep the planet beautiful and safe for future generations," said Ilsur Metshin. During the 7 years of the Paris Climate Agreement, many cities around the world have launched projects aimed at preserving and restoring natural resources, environmental education of people, which is especially necessary for complete environmental transformation, and the implementation of measures that will protect the planet's biodiversity, atmosphere, earth, subsoil, rivers and oceans. "It is already clear that entering the stage of a new generation with conscious environmental thinking is the key to effectively solving many problems," the Mayor stressed.
Each mayor seeks to identify priority areas for the conservation and restoration of natural resources in dialogue with residents, noted I.Metshin. At the same time, the range of these areas is very wide – from waste sorting to creating green frameworks for cities. "As President of UNACLA, I believe that improving the climate situation should begin with the implementation of specific projects on the ground. It is extremely important to act decisively now to eliminate the growing risks," said I. Metshin.
"Our common goal is to stop the growth of climate change, which adversely affects people's quality of life, – said Ilsur Metshin. – As mayors, we are aware of our responsibility for what is happening, since today over 56% of the world's population lives in cities. Cities play a vital role in influencing the climate."
The Mayor of Kazan recalled that the Paris Climate Agreement was signed in 2015. "I remember this day well, the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and the Mayor of Istanbul, Kadir Topbash, were standing next to me. I was proud and happy that we are united in our desire to keep the planet beautiful and safe for future generations," said Ilsur Metshin. During the 7 years of the Paris Climate Agreement, many cities around the world have launched projects aimed at preserving and restoring natural resources, environmental education of people, which is especially necessary for complete environmental transformation, and the implementation of measures that will protect the planet's biodiversity, atmosphere, earth, subsoil, rivers and oceans. "It is already clear that entering the stage of a new generation with conscious environmental thinking is the key to effectively solving many problems," the Mayor stressed.
Each mayor seeks to identify priority areas for the conservation and restoration of natural resources in dialogue with residents, noted I.Metshin. At the same time, the range of these areas is very wide – from waste sorting to creating green frameworks for cities. "As President of UNACLA, I believe that improving the climate situation should begin with the implementation of specific projects on the ground. It is extremely important to act decisively now to eliminate the growing risks," said I. Metshin.
Energy saving, construction, transport, and landscaping projects are already being successfully implemented in many cities. The London fashion house has won the UN Award for global measures to combat climate change, and the West Railway station, built in accordance with the philosophy of low carbon emissions, has opened in Hangzhou, the Mayor of Kazan said. He also recalled that revolutionary projects are being implemented in the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan: "We have launched Russia's first thermomechanical sludge treatment line. Sewage sludge is no longer stored in silt fields, 70 tons of organic fuel are obtained from them daily, which has a wide range of uses."
Successful municipal practices can be seen on the Shared City information resource, Ilsur Metshin drew attention. According to his words, there is a choice of topics available here, and there is an opportunity to find out the best solutions to issues, see photos of completed projects and get to know the teams that created them. The website presents the concept of environmentally friendly heat from the authorities of the Danish city of Aarhus, the "green" facades of Vienna, cases on improving the climate of London, Bangkok, Stockholm, Toronto, Manchester, Melbourne and others.
By 2050, two thirds of the world's population will live in cities. The influx of migrants will create an additional burden on residential areas – it may be difficult to meet the needs of the population for housing, food, water, transport, electricity and medicine, Ilsur Metshin believes. "Already today, we need to adapt to the increased workload, take into account the increasing environmental risks, the growth of the urban population, and migration. We are guided by the 11th UN Sustainable Development Goal, which is aimed at ensuring the openness, security and environmental sustainability of cities," said the Mayor of Kazan. He added that the amount of work on changing urban priorities that city leaders have to do is huge.
"By doing everything possible at our level to solve environmental problems, we will be able to overcome many economic and social challenges at the same time, revitalizing the economy through sustainable, inclusive and environmentally sound production and consumption models. This will help strengthen cohesion and trust at all levels of communities," said the President of UNACLA.
The XXVII Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is taking place from November 6 to 18 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The event is attended by about 35 thousand people and 2 thousand speakers. The Russian delegation is headed by Ruslan Edelgeriev, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on Climate Issues, and it also includes representatives of federal authorities, business, and academia.
The conference program includes thematic days, during which panel discussions, round tables and other events are held.
Successful municipal practices can be seen on the Shared City information resource, Ilsur Metshin drew attention. According to his words, there is a choice of topics available here, and there is an opportunity to find out the best solutions to issues, see photos of completed projects and get to know the teams that created them. The website presents the concept of environmentally friendly heat from the authorities of the Danish city of Aarhus, the "green" facades of Vienna, cases on improving the climate of London, Bangkok, Stockholm, Toronto, Manchester, Melbourne and others.
By 2050, two thirds of the world's population will live in cities. The influx of migrants will create an additional burden on residential areas – it may be difficult to meet the needs of the population for housing, food, water, transport, electricity and medicine, Ilsur Metshin believes. "Already today, we need to adapt to the increased workload, take into account the increasing environmental risks, the growth of the urban population, and migration. We are guided by the 11th UN Sustainable Development Goal, which is aimed at ensuring the openness, security and environmental sustainability of cities," said the Mayor of Kazan. He added that the amount of work on changing urban priorities that city leaders have to do is huge.
"By doing everything possible at our level to solve environmental problems, we will be able to overcome many economic and social challenges at the same time, revitalizing the economy through sustainable, inclusive and environmentally sound production and consumption models. This will help strengthen cohesion and trust at all levels of communities," said the President of UNACLA.
The XXVII Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is taking place from November 6 to 18 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The event is attended by about 35 thousand people and 2 thousand speakers. The Russian delegation is headed by Ruslan Edelgeriev, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on Climate Issues, and it also includes representatives of federal authorities, business, and academia.
The conference program includes thematic days, during which panel discussions, round tables and other events are held.