Paris, the French capital city bidding to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, has been named Global Earth Hour Capital 2016 by the World Wildlife Fund [WWF]. The international award recognises Paris as a role model for climate action, the city’s ambitious vision and its successful engagement with business, civil society and other global cities on sustainability practices.
Paris hosted last year’s historic United Nations Conference on Climate Change [COP21] and has shown strong climate change leadership, creating a model for other city governments to replicate. In addition to setting up an effective centralised Climate Agency – ensuring clean vehicles, extending public transportation and developing waste-to-fuel conversion, Paris has also incorporated a regular review process to ensure that the city is on track to meet its sustainability goals as well as the current and future environmental needs of its citizens.
Selected from a shortlist of 18 national finalists, Paris impressed the international panel of judges with its innovative actions, long-term vision and willingness to collaborate and share knowledge with cities around the globe.
Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International, said:
"As the world works to bring the Paris climate agreement into action, the ‘City of Light’ is leading by example. Winning WWF’s Earth Hour City Challenge reflects Paris’ commitment to inspire global action to reduce emissions and build environmental sustainability through green urban development."
Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris, said:
"I am very happy and honoured to see Paris win the prestigious WWF Earth Hour City Challenge award. This recognition encourages us to do even more for the health and well-being of our citizens and for the good of the environment. Cities have always been at the front line of change and it’s wonderful to see Paris recognised as the global leader in this area. This award also comes as a great boost to the Paris 2024 bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games which has had sustainability at its very core since the beginning."
Tony Estanguet, Paris 2024 Co-Chairman, said:
"We are delighted that Paris has been acknowledged as the leading city in green initiatives by WWF. This award highlights Paris’ first class record on sustainability – something which is reflected in the core values of the Paris 2024 bid for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The bid is firmly committed to delivering an environmentally friendly Games and our pioneering vision will ensure a sustainable legacy for all Parisians."
WWF’s Earth Hour City Challenge 2016 saw participation from 125 cities representing 21 countries. Cities were evaluated on their level of ambition and innovation in developing climate-smart solutions that advance sustainable development under local circumstances.
National winners included Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Boulder, USA; Chiangrai, Thailand; Edmonton, Canada; Hue City, Vietnam; Jakarta, Indonesia; Lappeenranta, Finland; Montería, Colombia; Murcia, Spain; Petaling Jaya, Malaysia; Quito, Ecuador; Rajkot, India; Santa Rosa, Philippines; Shenzhen, China; City of Singapore, Singapore; Tshwane, South Africa and Umeå, Sweden.
Paris now joins the ranks of previous global Earth Hour City Challenge winners such as Vancouver, Cape Town and Seoul, all of whom have shown extraordinary leadership in developing innovative solutions for tackling climate change and reducing the ecological footprint of urban lifestyles.
Earlier this month Paris 2024 launched an Environmental Excellence Committee made up of 24 highly qualified individuals that will make significant contributions to the development of the bid. This came after Paris 2024 announced a strategic partnership with the WWF France to ensure the bid and the city’s Games Plan implements best practice in sustainability.
Paris 2024 Co-Chairman and member of the IOC Sustainability and Legacy Committee, Tony Estanguet, has also been active in the promotion of green initiatives and sustainable development. He delivered a keynote speech on ‘Innovation of French Sport and the Climate’ at COP21 in December 2015.
For more information, please contact:
Paris 2024 press contacts for international media:
Raphael Leclerc
Paris 2024 Bid Committee
Email: RLeclerc@paris2024.org
Mobile: +33 (0)6 73 16 88 06
Rob Fawdon
VERO Communications
Email: rfawdon@verocom.co.uk
Mobile: +44 (0)7769 216 649
Engage with the Paris 2024 bid here:
Web: www.paris2024.org
Twitter: @Paris2024
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Paris2024
Instagram: http://instagram.com/paris2024
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