Delhi mayor grabs spotlight at UN climate meet

United Nations, Sep 25 (UNI) Delhi Mayor Arti Mehra hogged the limelight at an international meet on climate change, attended by a number of world leaders.

Addressing the meet yesterday, Ms Mehra said governments can learn from the prominent role the local efforts play in addressing environment problems.

The Delhi Mayor stressed that nations have much to learn from local initiatives and experiences in tackling climate change.

''Local authorities and community efforts are an important beacon of hope to the global community and their action can be positive and empowering,'' noted Ms Mehra.

Delhi has taken steps towards promoting energy efficiency, sustainable transport, renewable energy and these measures also help reduce air pollution, decrease electricity demand, alleviate the pressure on water supplies and boost employment, she added.

As part of its efforts to reduce emissions, Delhi has the world's largest bus fleet running on clean fuel, the Mayor observed.

She also urged the participating heads of state government and top officials from more than 150 countries to bolster investments in local initiatives for reduced emissions and improved local management of the environment.

Ms Mehra was chosen from among 26 mayors of different world cities to present her views on environmental challenges before the world gathering.

Californian Governer Arnold Schwarzenegger also drew praise for his efforts in checkmating environmental emissions in his state.

''California, which is the world's seventh largest economy, is blazing the trail in combating climate change in the United States with its groundbreaking emission standards with the first-ever low carbon fuel standards,'' Mr Schwarzenegger said in his address to the conglomeration of world leaders.

The time has come to stop looking back at the Kyoto Protocol, he said, referring to the 1997 binding pact which sets targets for greenhouse gas emissions which expires in 2012.

He expressed concern over the future of the environment which continues to be threatened by poisonous emissions.

UNI