In the heart of Tshwane, the bustling city played host to a momentous gathering as C40 welcomed representatives from twelve African cities for a transformative two-day Political Leadership Masterclass on Climate Change Governance.
This assembly of high-profile political and governance figures, part of the Climate Action Implementation Programme, aimed to propel cities toward carbon neutrality by 2050 and forge a more sustainable future for their residents.
Notable voices echoed through the masterclass, with Mr. Johann Mettler, City Manager of the City of Tshwane, sharing invaluable insights into Tshwane’s sustainability journey. The event also featured H.E. André Nzapayeke, Dean of African Heads of Diplomatic Missions, and H.E. Antony Phillipson, British High Commissioner to South Africa, shedding light on the power of diplomacy and the UK’s commitment to supporting African climate action.
The agenda unfolded with sessions led by influential figures such as Mr. Jay Naidoo, former South African Minister and Social and Economic Development Advocate, Ms. Jennifer Musisi, C40 Board Member, Director of Earthlife Africa Makoma Lekalakala, and Prof. Debra Roberts, IPCC Co-Chair. These discussions delved into governance within the context of inclusive climate action, weaving the aspirations of residents into the fabric of resilient and prosperous cities across Africa.
The grand opening ceremony, hosted at the Tshwane House Council Chambers, set the stage for a high-level dialogue drawing together representatives and delegates from twelve African cities: Accra, Addis Ababa, Cape Town, Dar es Salaam, Durban, Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, Sedibeng, Tshwane, and West Rand.
“This event is important to the City of Tshwane and will help strengthen our very own Climate Action Plan, which seeks to ensure that we become a climate-resilient and responsive city. Furthermore, the city is committed to promoting green economies and job creation and to fostering sustainable development,” said Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink.
Hastings Chikoko, C40’s Managing Director of Regions and Mayoral Engagement, and Regional Director for Africa, said: “The C40’s Political Leadership Masterclass on Climate Change Governance marks a critical step in our shared commitment to climate action, serving as a platform for deepening collaboration and empowering political leaders to drive inclusive governance approaches that align with their developmental priorities.”
Mayor Cilliers Brink expressed the event’s importance for Tshwane, highlighting its role in fortifying the city’s Climate Action Plan. The plan aims to make Tshwane a climate-resilient and responsive city, fostering green economies, job creation, and sustainable development.
Hastings Chikoko, C40’s Managing Director of Regions and Mayoral Engagement, emphasized the masterclass’s critical role in advancing climate action. Serving as a platform for collaboration and empowering political leaders, it seeks to align governance approaches with developmental priorities.
The Climate Action Implementation Programme, funded by the UK government’s Urban Climate Action Programme, has been a driving force. It supports seven African cities in implementing impactful actions, spanning renewable energy, green buildings, sustainable waste management, and climate mainstreaming. The goal is to slash carbon emissions by half by 2030, achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and secure a green, fair, and equitable future.
Antony Phillipson, British High Commissioner to South Africa, underscored the pivotal nature of the Political Leadership Masterclass. It reflects a crucial moment where African political leaders converge to align climate efforts with broader developmental goals. The collaboration, bolstered by UK funding, highlights the transformative power of international partnerships in addressing urgent climate change challenges.
Earlier in the year, C40 convened a regional conference a regional conference in in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, focusing on the vital role of African cities in climate change mitigation. The conference facilitated partnerships, exchanged best practices, and empowered participant cities to overcome challenges, accelerating their climate action efforts.
C40’s Climate Action Implementation Programme is made possible with funding from the UK government’s Urban Climate Action Programme and has been supporting seven African cities in developing high-impact implementation actions to deliver renewable energy, green buildings, sustainable waste management and climate mainstreaming to help these cities halve their carbon emissions by 2030, become carbon neutral by 2050 and secure a green, fair and equitable future for their residents.