COP21: Rotterdam wins C40 cities award for its adaptation strategy
The city of Rotterdam was awarded with the first place in the category Adaptation planning & assessment, for its take on climate adaptation as described in the Rotterdam Climate change adaptation strategy.
The network organization C40 Cites awarded ten cities in different categories during the UN climate conference COP21 in Paris on 3 December.
In its category Rotterdam competed with New Orleans, USA and Melbourne, Australia.
One of Rotterdam's praised adaptation measures is the Benthem water square that combines water storage and recreational space for youth to sport, play and linger.
Launching no-regrets measures
According to the jury Rotterdam’s adaption strategy (RAS) won the category Adaptation planning & assessment for engaging in extensive research and launching numerous no-regrets measures. The strategy aims to secure and maintain a robust city by incorporating adaptation measures in urban development, renewal and maintenance activities, states the jury.
Course confirmation
Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb and vice-mayor Pex Langenberg attended the awards ceremony. Aboutaleb: "Our adaptation strategy and the other entries from around the world are real-life examples of the importance of cities’ actions. Each and every one shows local action and its global results."
Vice-mayor Pex Langenberg (sustainability): "This award is a recognition of our choice to combine sustainability approaches from various fields: climate, water, social and economics, both in new solutions as well as new opportunities. We feel confirmed in going ahead full speed in realizing our sustainability program."
Rotterdam mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb (left) with other winners of the C40 cities awards.
C40 Cities awards
The C40 Cities climate leadership group is a network of the world’s megacities committed to addressing climate change. Its current chair is Eduardo Paes, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro.
For the 2015 Awards, the organization received 200 entries from 94 cities around the world. Cities were nominated and awarded in ten categories.
Besides Rotterdam, awards went to Boston, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Nanjing, New York, Stockholm, Vancouver, Washington, DC and Wuhan.
Read more on the C40 Cities Awards at www.c40.org/awards.
This news item was originally published on the website of Rotterdam Climate Initiative.
Read also on this website
● Deltas 2014: Highlights of an inspiring river delta conference in pictures, 3 October 2014
● Aqua Dock launches test facility for floating structures in harbour of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 14 March 2014
● New innovative water square combines leisure and storm water storage in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 8 December 2013
● European Commission appoints Rotterdam a 'peer city' for climate adaptation, 26 September 2012
More information
Rotterdam Climate Initiative
Rotterdam, the Netherlands
+31 6 229 96 302
www.rotterdamclimateinitiative.nl/uk
C40 Cities
contact@c40.org
www.c40.org