AS THE NEW CO-CHAIR OF THE GLOBAL COVENANT OF MAYORS, EUROPEAN COMMISSION EVP TERESA RIBERA WANTS TO STIMULATE AND SUPPORT MORE CLIMATE AMBITION AND RESILIENCE OF CITIES 

Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition Appointed the Newest Co-Chair of the Global Covenant of Mayors to Provide Strategic Direction for Cities and Initiatives

Brussels, Belgium (30 April 2025) – Today, during the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) Board Meeting, GCoM was delighted to announce Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, as its newest co-chair. Ribera joins Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies, in co-leading GCoM, providing strategic direction for cities and climate action initiatives. She succeeds European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič.

Ribera’s appointment brings over twenty years of exceptional leadership and knowledge in climate policy, energy transition, and sustainability. As Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just, and Competitive Transition, she plays a key role in implementing the European Green Deal and supporting clean industries that drive competitiveness and job creation, including at the local level. Her expertise in marrying Europe’s economic growth with sustainability goals will help GCoM empower cities and local governments worldwide. Ribera’s commitment and experience in adaptation and resilience will ensure cities are better equipped to face natural disasters while driving local economic growth, making her an invaluable asset to GCoM.

As the world remains off track to limit global warming to 1.5°C in line with the Paris Agreement – and with the next Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) due ahead of COP30 in Belém – focus must shift to turning commitments into delivery and implementation by all actors and stakeholders. At COP28, the EU led a global initiative to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency measures by 2030. For this bold commitment to succeed, we need effective multilevel governance. In this context, Ribera’s strong negotiation and brokerage skills will be helpful in advancing GCoM’s efforts to strengthen local, regional, and national partnerships – through initiatives like Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) – enhancing countries’ ability to deliver strong national climate strategies, in support of global climate targets.

The Global Covenant of Mayors stands as a powerful, historic response to the global challenge of climate change. The largest global alliance for city climate leadership, GCoM brings together over 13,500 cities–big, small, urban and rural–to accelerate local climate action and innovation, improving the lives of over 1.2 billion people across 147 countries. Cities are at the forefront of the climate crisis, demonstrating how ambition can translate into impactful, measurable actions. Bridging national and local partnerships globally, closing financial gaps, and delivering economic prosperity for residents across GCoM cities and beyond is more important than ever. With Ribera as Co-Chair, GCoM will continue to promote innovative solutions, the green energy transition, and support vulnerable communities in their path toward a sustainable future.

“Cities are where people live –  where children grow, where communities breathe. Climate action must make cities healthier, greener, and easier places to live, especially for those who can least afford to adapt. Insulating homes, creating parks, protecting neighborhoods from extreme heat – these are not luxuries. They are the foundation of a just, sustainable future. As Co-Chair of the Global Covenant of Mayors, I am committed to making the clean transition a transition for everyone – not just the few,” said Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition and GCoM Co-Chair Teresa Ribera. 

“Teresa Ribera understands that fighting climate change and growing the economy go hand in hand. Her extensive government experience will be a major asset as we help cities take action and build stronger, more resilient communities,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies. “I look forward to working with her to strengthen local leadership and drive progress on climate change from the bottom up.”

“As a mayor and fellow advocate for sustainable urban development, I am thrilled to welcome Teresa Ribera as the new Co-Chair of the Global Covenant of Mayors,” said GCoM Global Ambassador and Mayor Anne Hidalgo of Paris, France. “Teresa’s leadership and expertise will undoubtedly inspire mayors worldwide to take bold, innovative steps in addressing the climate crisis. Cities often face insufficient access to financing, which prevents them from achieving their climate mitigation and adaptation goals. I look forward to Teresa’s efforts in bridging the gap, integrating urban financing into climate policies to guide cities like Paris towards a greener, more resilient future.”

GCoM looks forward to working alongside Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera as our new Co-Chair. Her leadership will help guide cities around the world toward a more prosperous, resilient, and green future, ensuring that local governments continue to be at the forefront of the global fight against the climate crisis. 

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About the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM)

GCoM is the largest global alliance for city climate leadership, uniting a global coalition of over 13,500 cities and local governments and 100+ supporting partners. The cities and partners of GCoM share a long-term vision of supporting voluntary action to combat climate change and towards a resilient and low-emission society. GCoM serves cities and local governments by mobilizing and supporting ambitious, measurable, planned climate and energy action in their communities by working with city/regional networks, national governments, and other partners to achieve our vision. Led today by UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions Michael R. Bloomberg and European Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera, the coalition comprises cities across 6 continents and 147 countries, representing over 1 billion people or more than 13 percent of the global population.

To learn more about GCoM, please visit our website, or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.