The World Climate and Territories Summit, held in the city of Lyon, France, achieved its strategic objective of ensuring a strong dialogue between the 800 non-official civil society actors, local and sub-national governments, who presented and discussed the objectives of their local climate actions within the framework of the new global regime to be adopted at the end of the year at COP21 in Paris. The event, which took place between 1 and 2 July, was organised by the Rhône-Alpes Region and was attended by the President of France, François Hollande, who closed the first day with the following message:

“It is necessary for leaders and administrators of all territories and regions to come together in a universal pact, which can be applied to everyone, against climate change.”

The Summit meets one of the key objectives of the Local Governments Climate Roadmap 2013-2015 strategy, which is to ensure strong dialogue between key groups, as outlined in Paragraph.9 of the Nantes Declaration of Mayors and Subnational Leaders on Climate Change, adopted in September 2013.

For over 25 years, the active engagement of all stakeholders has been one of the most important elements of successful local climate action, which ICLEI has relentlessly led. From the ‘Cities for Climate Protection’ campaign (launched in 1993) to its role as focal point for Local Authorities and Local Governments, and as a founding partner of the Local Governments' Climate Roadmap, ICLEI has successfully advocated for strong and active engagement from all societal actors to advance climate action.

As part of the preparation of local and sub-national governments for COP21 in Paris, the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, and Michael Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change, announced on the first day of the event that they would host the Climate Summit for Local Leaders, which will take place during COP21 on 4 December 2015. 1,000 mayors are expected to attend the Summit.

The meeting, intended for Mayors and local leaders, aims to empower each city and ensure its voice is heard and taken into consideration in the development of the new climate regime.

Some ICLEI South America network cities were also present at the Summit, presenting their latest ambitions and actions.

Representing the City of Fortaleza, Patrícia Macêdo, Coordinator of International and Federative Relations, was invited by the ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability network and the National Front of Mayors (FNP) to participate in the event in preparation for COP21. The Coordinator presented the results of the latest investments in public mobility and transport, which are part of the city's plan for the reduction of Greenhouse Gases (GHG).

Of Fortaleza’s total pollutant emissions, 61% are attributable to vehicles, which in 2012 amounted to 3,827,521 tonnes of CO2, according to the Municipal Secretariat for Urban Planning and the Environment (SEUMA). Fortaleza is a Model City in Urban-LEDS Project in Brazil Low-Carbon Urban Development Strategies.

“The climatic phenomena we have witnessed in recent times have placed us all on high alert. We hear this in every voice at this meeting. We are committed to changing our attitude. It is Mayor Roberto Cláudio's directive to adopt sustainable practices,” stated Patrícia Macêdo.

Recife, also the Model City for the Urban-LEDS Project, was present at the preparatory discussions for COP21. The City was represented at the Summit by the President Director of EMLURB, Antônio Barbosa.