This Tuesday (09), the Municipal Secretary of International Affairs, Marta Suplicy, participated in the Conference of Parts of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 26), in Glasgow, Scotland, remotely, in a hybrid event. Marta Suplicy represented City Hall and Mayor Ricardo Nunes.
In the panel at the Brazil Climate Action Hub, Marta Suplicy reaffirmed that the city’s goals are based in science, in order to openly promote the theme of sustainability in its bold and flexible public policies.

“Nowadays, science shows us that the most part of greenhouse gas emissions come from cities. In São Paulo, the third inventory of emissions identified that the sector of transports represents 62% from the total of carbon dioxide emitted in the atmosphere”, she pointed out.

The Secretary introduced São Paulo´s Climate Action Plan (PlanClima-SP), with emphasis on the theme of electrification of the bus fleet of São Paulo, a key point in the Plan.

“We are already boasting intense work to have a bus fleet with clean energy matrices in a very short term. Our Goals Programme already stipulates that 20% of the fleet must be transformed into zero-carbon until 2024. A commitment that demands planning, disponibility of international and local resources”, she explains.

São Paulo instituted the Management Committee for Monitoring Fleet Replacement by Cleaner Alternatives. Composed by representatives from the civil society, City Hall and bus operators, the COMFROTA symbolises the city’s commitment to the transition of municipal vehicles and to the broad dialogue with the society.

She criticised the cuts that are being promoted by the Federal Government, that would be fundamental for the environment with damage of great impact.

According to Marta Suplicy, the City of São Paulo has the goal to demonstrate to the world, at COP26, in this moment of intense political debates, that the cities, especially the world’s fourth largest urban agglomeration, can effectively contribute to the reduction of pollutants’ emission, combating climate changes.

“The commitment of São Paulo is to the promotion of safe and sustainable urban mobility, supporting economic development and mitigating environmental damages. As a stronghold against climate and scientific denial, we are committed to bring climate action to the centre of discussions, by proposing bold and innovative initiatives, “leading the way”.

To check the article in Portuguese, click here.