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CoM SSA Mayors lead the charge for climate action amidst disappointing COP29 ambitions
The outcomes of COP29, held in Baku from November 11 - 22, fell short of the ambition required to combat the escalating climate crisis. However, the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) demonstrated an unwavering leadership and urgency, advocating for actionable solutions to support cities amidst a growing planetary polycrisis. CoM SSA Mayors Called for direct access to finance at the local level, and the establishment of a fully operational Loss and Damage Fund that local governments can access directly.
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World Urban Forum Twelfth Session: CoM SSA champions African cities’ sustainable urban futures
At WUF12 (4 - 8 November) in Cairo, African cities showcased their leadership in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite progress, the need for scalable financing and implementation remains critical to sustaining momentum and unlocking transformative solutions.
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Nakuru County hosts Urban Smart Energy (USE) Workshop: A path to sustainable energy solutions
Nakuru County recently hosted the Urban Smart Energy Workshop from September 25-26, 2024, in partnership with CoM SSA. The event focused on presenting viable renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions tailored to Nakuru’s energy needs.
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PRESS RELEASE: Sekondi-Takoradi paves the way for a more sustainable and resilient future for African cities
Sekondi-Takoradi has become the first city in Ghana to launch a comprehensive Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plan (SEACAP), building on Accra’s pioneering efforts in partnership with C40 Cities. This new plan marks another significant step in the country’s climate action journey. Developed in collaboration with the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA), the SEACAP aims to reduce emissions, enhance climate resilience, and provide clean, affordable energy by 2050, positioning Sekondi-Takoradi as a model for sustainable urban development in West Africa.
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Mayors lead the charge: Highlights from the inaugural Africa Urban Forum
The inaugural Africa Urban Forum (AUF) 2024, held from 4 to 6 September in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, marked a significant milestone for urban development across the continent. Organised by the African Union Commission and the Government of Ethiopia, with technical support from UN-Habitat and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, this unprecedented event culminated decades of advocacy and commitment to prioritising urban Africa.
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Comprehensive data collection advances development of Sekondi-Takoradi Climate Action Plan
The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) in Ghana recently made significant strides in the development of its Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plan (SEACAP) with an extensive data collection effort. The initiative was coordinated and carried out in collaboration with the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) and PSS Urbania, a consultancy firm specialising in Ghana’s urban development.
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KwaDukuza Local Municipality: Committed to low-emissions development for a greener future
KwaDukuza, is a pioneering municipality in South Africa, has consistently demonstrated its commitment to combating climate change since joining the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) at its inception in 2015. As one of the longest-standing signatories, KwaDukuza showcases a proactive approach to building climate resilience by engaging in vital climate action activities such as baseline reviews and regular reporting. These efforts align seamlessly with the objectives outlined in South Africa's recently endorsed Climate Change Act, underscoring KwaDukuza's readiness to align with national climate goals.
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Press Release | Embu County’s Dallas Settlement Launches Green Infrastructure Plan to Tackle Climate Change
Embu, August 29, 2024- Like many informal settlements in African cities and in Kenya, the residents of Dallas settlement in Embu County, Kenya, face escalating climate change challenges. These include intensified flooding, a rise in weather-related diseases, and degradation of natural assets. In response, the Dallas ASILI (Adaptation Solutions, Inclusive Locally-led Infrastructures) project was launched following Embu County’s commitment to the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA), an initiative co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The Dallas ASILI project is a collaborative effort between the Dallas community, Embu County Government, CoM SSA, and the Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI). It focuses on three pillars: developing a Green Infrastructure (GI) Plan, designing Nature-based Solutions (NbS), and involving the community through awareness and capacity-building activities.
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Protecting the green lung of Pikine: turning an invasive species into an ecological opportunity
A feasibility study on the commercial exploitation of this invasive plant in the Grand Niaye Natural Reserve in Pikine (Senegal) confirms its potential to create jobs and be both economically and socially beneficial. This approach addresses one of the major challenges facing this crucial wetland.
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From Data to Action: Mombasa's Urban Smart Energy Journey
Access to clean and affordable energy is a top priority for Mombasa County in Kenya. To advance towards this goal, the County has been working with the Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa's co-implementing partner, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), in implementing the Urban Smart Energy (USE) product since 2022. Following an evidence-based approach, the USE focuses on developing decentralised energy systems and energy efficiency measures on county-owned sites. The recent USE Results Workshop reviewed the feasibility of solar PV systems and energy efficiency improvements in Mombasa, recommending solar rooftops for six locations, LED retrofits for three, and AC replacements for one.
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Abuja Urban Lab workshop showcases collaborative progress on future waste management strategies
Maintaining its steadfast commitment to sustainable urban development and building on the success of the initial launch in December 2023, the Abuja Urban Lab has hosted a feedback workshop, marking a crucial step forward in ongoing efforts to improve the waste management governance system in Abuja.
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Fifteen thousand trees to fight against coastal erosion
CoM SSA has funded a study proposing the planting of 15,000 trees along nine kilometers of coastline to stop the advancing sea and protect the ecosystem.
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In conversation with the captain Seynabou Diop Fall
Protecting the dune coastal system and its vegetation means protecting the population.