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London – The mayors of 31 cities have signed the C40 Cities Urban Nature Declaration, which pledges to invest in green spaces to improve air quality and provide protection against climate disasters. Plans outlined include the planting of trees and subsidies for green rooftops.

The signatory cities include Athens, Copenhagen, Los Angeles, Paris and Tokyo. One of the targets of the declaration is to cover 30 to 40 per cent of each city’s surface area with green or blue infrastructure such as trees, parks or permeable pavements. The declaration also sets the goal for 70 per cent of a city’s population to have access to green or blue public spaces within a 15-minute walk or bike ride by 2030, according to a Cities Today article. Earlier studies have shown that infrastructure like this can cut nitrogen dioxide levels and reduce air temperature. 

“Supporting and protecting cities’ natural ecosystems is one of our most important tools for building resiliency against the climate crisis and creating the healthy, inclusive urban communities we deserve,” said Mark Watts, C40 Cities Executive Director, in the article. 

Among the plans outlined by the cities is Guadalajara’s pledge to plant 67,000 new trees and introduce over 50 new public gardens. In Mumbai, the government is making amendments to the ‘Tree Act’ to protect and conserve old trees and prevent felling of trees.

Meanwhile, Barcelona is subsidising 75 per cent of the cost of new green rooftops for winning projects to create urban allotments and space for renewable energy generation, rainwater collection and composting.