Today, at Café Europa, a session organized by the Fundació Catalunya Europa in collaboration with the Barcelona Metropolitan Strategic Plan (PEMB), climate change and the role of cities were the focal points of an intense discussion ahead of COP29, set to take place this November in Baku. With the participation of two renowned experts, Francisco J. Doblas-Reyes and Júlia López Ventura, the session explored the importance of addressing the ecological transition from a fair and affordable perspective for all citizens, highlighting the decisive role cities play in this global struggle.
Francisco J. Doblas-Reyes, Head of the Earth Sciences Department at BSC and ICREA researcher, emphasized the need for firm, strong, and rapid commitments to reduce emissions at COP29. In his remarks, he highlighted the IPCC report's importance as the scientific foundation of climate negotiations but noted that it must undergo a complex, line-by-line political approval to become actionable. Doblas-Reyes stressed that only with decisive action at all levels can we move forward on emissions reduction and mitigate the most devastating climate impacts.
Júlia López Ventura, Regional Director for Europe at C40 Cities, highlighted the increasingly crucial role of cities in the fight against climate change. At COP29, the C40 Cities network will advocate for ambitious measures, provide examples that demonstrate the effectiveness of local action, and demand more resources and tools for climate adaptation. Ventura pointed out that "there is no ecological transition without citizen support," emphasizing the need to implement fair and affordable alternatives for everyone, as without these, a sustained commitment cannot be ensured.
