Success of World Car-Free Day, Celebrated by the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy

Success of World Car-Free Day, Celebrated by the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy

Eight countries across Latin America joined the World Car-Free Day on September 22, 2023.

The event, supported by the European Union through the Global Covenant of Mayors, focused on promoting sustainable urban mobility. During this initiative, city residents were encouraged to leave their cars at home and explore environmentally friendly transportation alternatives such as public transport, cycling, and walking. This campaign successfully raised awareness of the benefits of reducing car usage in our cities and promoted a lifestyle in harmony with the environment.

Among the cities that participated in this successful action were Despeñaderos and San Justo in Argentina, Serra Talhada and Salvador in Brazil, Independencia and Peñalolén in Chile, Tópaga in Colombia, Oreamuno in Costa Rica, Ambato in Ecuador, Comas in Peru, and Ahome in Mexico. These cities demonstrated their commitment to sustainability by organizing a series of creative activities involving their citizens and promoting alternative forms of transportation.

It is important to note that this action represented the inaugural initiative of the Latin American Mayors’ Forum and was presented during the Latin America and the Caribbean Climate Week 2023. At this event, mayors and city leaders from across the Americas gathered to share their experiences and strategies in the fight against climate change and the promotion of sustainable urban development. Presenting this action in this context not only provided a unique opportunity to inspire other cities to join this effort but also significantly increased its visibility.

Mayor Testimonials:

Carolina Basualdo, Mayor of Despeñaderos, Argentina: “We are committed to addressing Climate Change because our cities must lead Climate Action. Many of our local decisions have a direct impact on the global environment, and one of those issues is the regulation of transportation and the promotion of sustainable and low-emission urban mobility.”

Gonzalo Durán, Mayor of Independencia, Chile: “The fight against the climate crisis must be established collaboratively, as a network. Being part of this has allowed us to embrace this collaborative logic, which is a constant source of shared experiences, enabling us to optimize our own climate action. From local governments, we can support and contribute to a global perspective, understanding that this has been systematically the product of our incorporation into the Global Covenant of Mayors.”

Álvaro Barrera, Mayor of Tópaga, Colombia: “Our goal is to unite these 11 cities in the same campaign to show what we are doing in terms of urban mobility and invite more local governments to commit to serious planning and execution on this issue.”

Viviana Ocampo, Vice-Mayor of Oreamuno, Costa Rica: “In Latin America alone, we are more than 600 cities that are part of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, the largest global alliance of mayors against climate change. Now, from the Latin American Mayors’ Forum, we call for continued collaboration and uniting our strengths to achieve significant changes in our region in the face of climate change.”

The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy is pleased to lead this successful global initiative, demonstrating the collective power of cities to address climate change and promote sustainable urban mobility. Together, they have succeeded in inspiring positive change and building a more sustainable and car-free future for all.

About the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy

The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy is the world’s largest alliance of mayors and city officials committed to addressing climate change. Supported by the European Union, the Covenant brings together over 12,000 cities and local governments on six continents, representing more than 1.2 billion people. By setting ambitious climate goals and implementing innovative solutions, Covenant cities lead the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen resilience, and create sustainable communities.