Sadiq Khan, Chair of C40 Cities and Mayor of London, is shining a light on the unique role that cities are playing in addressing the climate crisis, inequality and poverty, all of which are helping to achieve the UN’s Global Goals for sustainable development.
The “World’s To-Do List” campaign, driven by Project Everyone, will accelerate urgently needed progress to deliver the UN’s Global Goals, which were agreed by all world leaders in 2015 to build a greener, fairer, better world by 2030.
The campaign reimagines the UN’s Global Goals as a series of 17 playful, yet profound, sticky notes. The sticky notes will pop up in iconic locations across London, Freetown,
Bogotá and Bristol this September to mark Global Goals Week, an annual week of action, awareness and accountability for the Sustainable Development Goals, transforming cities into a pin board for the World’s To-Do List. The campaign will feature the voices of Mayors from all over the world when world leaders gather for the UN General Assembly in New York in September. By highlighting the global impact of local action, the campaign aims to unlock finance, technical support and other measures that will support mayors to achieve the Global Goals.
As hotbeds for innovation, education, and creativity, cities hold the keys to tackling the climate emergency and achieving the UN’s Global Goals. More than one-half of the world’s inhabitants currently live in cities, rising to two-thirds by 2050. Mayors play a critical role in responding to the challenges and opportunities presented by a rising urban population.
As Chair of C40, Mayor Khan has committed to putting social justice at the heart of his vision for C40 cities and has already delivered on his key pledge to direct a record two-thirds of the C40 budget towards Global South cities.
Chair of C40 Cities and Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “Cities are leading the way when it comes to tackling the climate emergency – one of the biggest global threats we face today.
“We don’t have time to waste. This is a matter of social and racial justice. The effects of the climate crisis won’t impact all equally – with the poorest, minority communities and most vulnerable expected to be hit the hardest.
“Whether it’s tackling air pollution in London, tree planting in Freetown, promoting healthy, nutritious and affordable food in New York, cities have been at the forefront of driving the universal climate agenda. Today we will be building on that momentum by getting the World’s To-Do List done.”
The Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, said: “Bristol is proud to sit alongside other cities under the banner of the World’s To-Do List. By celebrating progress so far and raising the voices of Mayors on the global stage, there is a huge opportunity to unlock the finance needed to bring the world closer to its goals to address climate change, poverty and inequality.”
The Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, said: “By taking action locally, citizens and leaders of cities have the power to address some of the world’s biggest challenges. Freetown is proud to support the World’s To-Do List and join with other Mayors who are leading the urgent charge to unlock finance and deliver the UN Global Goals.”
The Mayor of Bogotá, Claudia Lopez, said: “Bogotá, like many cities across the world, is at the forefront of the implementation of the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda, and as first responders we must lead by example. The World’s To-Do List campaign is a marvellous opportunity to join forces with other cities and actors across the globe and guarantee that this Decade of Action is in fact a decade where we all guarantee to care for one another and leave no one and no place behind. Join us!”
Co-Founder Project Everyone, Kate Garvey, said: “Culture and creativity play a crucial role in driving change. Last year, we saw the Forest for Change in London bring to life the transformative power of the Global Goals. This year, the World’s To-Do List will unite under one banner the valiant efforts of city Mayors to achieve the UN Global Goals and support their ambition for further progress.”
