Speaking at the United Nations, New Delhi's Mayor Arti Mehra underlined the need to learn from the experiences of local authorities to deal with climate change and pollution.
The local authorities are an important beacon as they could provide important lessons for clean cities and climate protection from their experiences, Arti Mehra said at the high-level segment of the meeting on climate change called by the United Nations.
Mehra was especially invited for the meeting in recognition of steps taken by New Delhi to clean environment and reduce pollution and was second speaker after Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Local authorities, she said, have developed programmes, including for sustainable transport, waste management and environmental protection, which had led to an improvement in citizen's lives.
Delhi has taken steps towards promoting energy efficiency, sustainable transport and renewable energy, she said, adding these measures also help to reduce air pollution, decrease electricity demand, alleviate the pressure on water supplies and boost employment.
As part of its efforts to reduce emissions, Delhi has the world's largest bus fleet running on clean fuel, the Mayor added, amidst cheers. "Please do not just applaud the story that local authorities have to offer on the global stage," she said.
"Listen to how we have gone about this and benefit from this experience."
While the necessary conversations and debates would continue among nations, she urged delegates to also invest in local authorities now, so that everyone could benefit from better management of the local environment.
