Betim and Sorocaba have been standing out in the implementation of initiatives for emissions reduction, energy efficiency, and environmental education. In December, the cities took another step towards improving their municipal climate management with the launch of important studies: the Climate Risk Analyses and the GHG Emissions Inventories.

The presentation of updated greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventories and the development of climate risk analyses are strategic for the future of municipalities. The data and information from these studies will underpin climate management for the coming years, covering adaptation and mitigation aspects in detail.

“The commitment of local governments to the climate agenda is key to the success of the Paris Agreement. These instruments allow for the assertive definition of city priorities and the elimination of risk areas,” states Rodrigo Perpétuo, executive secretary of ICLEI South America.

The studies were conducted within the context of the Urban-LEDS II project, implemented by ICLEI in partnership with UN-Habitat and funded by the European Commission, which aims to make low-carbon and resilient development strategies a fundamental part of urban policy and planning in cities.

To present the consolidated documents of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory (base year 2014-2017) and the Climate Risk Analysis to the municipal secretariats of Betim, the Municipal Committee on Climate Change and Eco-efficiency, collectives, universities, the private sector and civil society in general; ICLEI and the municipality of Betim held a meeting on December 14th to launch these materials. 

“We want to ensure that our activities do not create a negative impact on the environment. This way we will avoid global warming and other environmental problems,” stated the mayor of Betim, Vittorio Medioli.

“We closed the year with major studies being completed and presented to the community of Betim, and we are already thinking about updating this data,” says the Secretary of Environment and Sustainable Development of Betim, Ednard Barbosa de Almeida.

In Sorocaba, the materials were launched during the 2nd Sorocaba Regional Forum on Climate Change. Promoted by the Secretariat of Environment and Sustainability (SEMA) and the Secretariat of Institutional and Metropolitan Relations (SERIM) of the city, the event brought together municipal secretaries of environment, planning, mobility, sanitation, economic development and agriculture, as well as universities, industries, commerce, agriculture, construction companies and organized civil society to propose actions for the sustainable development of the Sorocaba Metropolitan Region.

“We are very grateful to ICLEI. The municipalities participating in this event should bring ICLEI closer to establish partnerships like the one we established in Sorocaba and achieve success in the public management of their cities,” says the Secretary of Environment and Sustainability, Maurício Mota.

“The documents help us understand the current state of the city and what might happen in the future. We need this knowledge to monitor the effectiveness of actions and seek improvements in solutions that can address not only environmental issues, but also social and economic ones,” says Sophia Picarelli of ICLEI.

The documents are available for reading at library from ICLEI.