Unleashing the potential of cities for a net-zero future

George Ronald Gray, chief economist and head of the Strategic Policy Engagement Unit at the UNDP, emphasized the importance of continuing to raise ambition levels following COP26. The bigger ambition reflected in carbon neutral pledges will need to be matched with equal ambition in implementation.

Danny Alexander, vice-president at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, highlighted the importance of following-through on updated climate pledges. "Operationalizing these commitments requires laws, regulations, policies, action plans, and investment opportunities that need to be created," said Alexander. He added that, "High-level leadership is key toward effectively financing climate and development objectives and managing co-benefits and trade-offs, and China has shown considerable leadership in this regard."