With half of the global population going to elections in more than 60 countries, 2024 was a year of intense political change. Amid deep interlinked crises, from a ramping economic and cost-of-living crisis to a deep energy crisis that left millions under energy poverty, and the COVID-19 crisis still very vivid in our minds, citizens were called to the polls. While each election was shaped by a variety of local factors, some of the results elicited feelings of despair and frustration, creating a more polarised world in which climate policies and ambition are now increasingly being contested.

Consequently, politically polarised battles have paved the way for an increase in climate disinformation aimed at dismantling the scientific facts backing climate action, particularly virulent against climate policies implemented at the urban level. Additionally, calls for rapid solutions to deep economic challenges have emerged consistently and unfortunately, have favoured a shift to more protectionism and climate-skeptic governments. It is therefore no coincidence that the identifies misinformation and disinformation as one of the most severe global threats, fuelling distrust in institutions and undermining progress on climate and public health across the globe.

Europe has not been exempt from this turbulence. The new European institutions that emerged from the elections in 2024 have pushed to place defence and competitiveness as priorities in the next few years, while climate action and the flagship EU Green Deal risk being relegated to secondary concerns. The launch of the this year, which has been presented as a response to high energy costs and fierce global competition and that is aimed at supporting European industries in need of urgent support by turning decarbonisation into a driver of growth for them, risks not been accompanied by a robust decarbonisation target for 2040 in the region. As a result, the link between climate and competitiveness ambition remains weak and is a potential attraction pole for decreased climate ambition on the continent.

The battle to combat the climate crisis should start in cities

Cities in Europe have also found themselves caught up in this challenging geopolitical context. While these cities are key contributors to the climate crisis, with urban activities being a major source of greenhouse gas emissions—urban areas are responsible for 70 percent of global CO2 emissions, with transport, energy, and buildings contributing to a huge chunk of this, according to data—they do not have direct decision-making power in most of these issues.

The role cities can play to help combat the climate crisisis, therefore, undeniable. It is important for all levels of governments, especially those with decision-making power when it comes to climate action, to adopt a multilevel collaboration approach, making sure cities play an integral part in these conversations.

Many European mayors have made significant progress in tackling the climate crisis and have built strong international ties with other cities and organisations. One of these organisations is , a network of global mayors committed to addressing the climate crisis and where I am Director for Europe. Since 2005, we have been providing cities with the support to advocate for a much-needed leading role for cities in the global climate negotiations while at the same time supporting the implementation and delivery of local, impactful and inclusive climate action.

In 2016, one year after the Paris Agreement, C40 responded by publishing the Deadline 2020 Commitment, setting the pathway for all its member cities (and non-members) to reduce their emissions, play their part in keeping global average temperature below 1.5 °C and commit to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. As a result, a few years later, most member cities had already published. In 2024, we published an updated framework for climate action planning, requesting member cities to continue updating their policies to meet the new UN requirements. In Europe, and have already published new climate action plans meeting the new ambition criteria. Other interesting regional initiatives that continue to raise ambition have emerged after this first global commitment, such as the European Commission mission to achieve “”, which many C40 European cities are also part of.

However, based on current policies and actions, we are heading for a catastrophic 2.7°C of heating by 2100. But there is good news: have already peaked their emissions reduction. And this number will only continue to increase.

The next few years are crucial, and the climate crisis will not wait for the world to have the most favourable political moment. While achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is the goal, cities must do everything possible to accelerate cutting their emissions now. The good news is that every city, member of C40 or not, is inherently well positioned to drive and deliver emission cuts in critical sectors: decarbonising the electricity grid, optimising energy efficiency in buildings, transition to zero emissions transport, improving waste management and reducing the carbon footprint of the food and goods we consume.

Transforming our cities will not happen overnight. We need to start taking action immediately to have a chance of meeting the 2030 and 2050 targets. It is critical that today’s infrastructure investments do not lock cities into high-carbon futures.

Nevertheless, how cities can achieve their emission reduction targets differs from one city to another. It is therefore important for all cities to understand the origin of the greenhouse gas emissions generated in the cities and consider their historical responsibility, to strategically tackle each sector separately and appropriately. This means that cities with high current or historical emissions and a high capacity to decarbonise must deliver significant emissions first. The precise deadline for carbon neutrality is less important than the need for cities to do everything possible now.

It is equally important that cities adopt sectoral policies to deliver the emissions we need. C40 European cities are already leading the way with a 23% reduction in per capita emissions from 2015 and a 17% reduction in PM2.5 air pollution concentration from 2017. How did they achieve these numbers? Oslo, for example, mandates zero-emission construction for its public projects, while Warsaw has published a local green building guide to decarbonise its built environment. Paris has managed to decrease the pollution levels in the city by promoting clean air zones, whereas Rome has worked on proximity urban planning based on green neighbourhoods. For more inspiring solutions from C40 member cities, check out the.

The climate crisis is already here

Cities are not only concerned about counting and decreasing their emissions, but they are also already feeling the effects of the climate crisis in their territories. According to the latest C40 survey, 7 out of 10 cities have seen an increase in extreme weather events in their territories. As scientists have been warning for decades, the climate crisis also increases the periodicity of extreme weather events, which affect life in cities and can be fatal. From heat waves to water scarcity, these changes are already affecting services, infrastructures, health and the economy. It is therefore imperative that action is taken now to ensure European cities can meet their climate targets, and contribute to keeping and meeting the EU’s climate ambition, and protect the livelihoods of their residents.

Extreme weather events can already be felt intensely in cities and have started making it to prime time news across Europe. Heat and water-related climate events are the most common in the region, but they are not the only ones. Rising global temperatures exacerbate the effect known as the urban heat island effect, which means that heavily built areas (like the centres of European cities) will see an increase in high temperatures compared to those with access to green areas. Understanding this, and the consequences on the most vulnerable communities, cities like Barcelona or Buenos Aires have launched climate shelters to protect citizens during heat waves.

Climate action must be equitable

The climate crisis affects the most vulnerable first and is especially virulent in communities that have contributed less to it. It is therefore imperative and fair that the solutions result in a more equal world. Cities should pay attention and ensure that their climate policies do not exacerbate inequalities and that all benefits and opportunities are shared equitably. To achieve this, cities need to undertake assessments to inform the design of better climate policies aligned with their priorities, while delivering benefits for all. Economic growth and job creation should be no exception.

According to , 50 million good green jobs need to be created to be able to meet the Paris Agreement limit of keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees. Cities are ideal hubs for these jobs, and making sure workers, communities, businesses, and youth are prepared to benefit from this green transition. Our research shows that mayors are delivering on their word, with nearly 16 million good green jobs now in global megacities in 74 C40 Cities. This is already 10% of all jobs in these cities. This number will continue to grow if national governments and the private sector commit to investing in the power and potential of cities. Cities should start now investing in future skills and reskilling programs, starting with the marginalised and most vulnerable communities. Examples include the Boss Ladies program from Copenhagen or the Green Skills Academy in London.

A better future is still possible

Despite a challenging political landscape, the evidence is clear: cities are not only on the frontlines of the climate emergency, they are also leading the way with bold, inclusive and locally tailored solutions. The climate crisis is already reshaping urban life - but so too is the ingenuity of mayors, communities, and young people determined to create safer, fairer, and more resilient cities. The path ahead is not without obstacles, but it is also full of possibility.

With the right support from national governments and international institutions, and sustained investment in equitable climate solutions, European cities can continue to raise ambition, accelerate emissions cuts, and drive the green and just transition our planet urgently needs. The time to act is now and cities are ready to lead.