COPENHAGEN - In his first international trip since the first-ever Climate Action Summit in New York, the Secretary-General on Thursday highlighted the role of cities in the climate crisis, speaking at the C40 World Mayor's Summit in Copenhagen, a forum for member cities to present innovative actions in healing the planet.

"Cities are responsible for more than 70 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions", Mr. Guterres said a press conference, "so cities are critical, and they are largely where the battle will be won or lost." They are also at the front lines of climate change consequences, especially costal cities, he added. The UN chief underscored that four billion people live in urban areas today, and the population of city-dwellers is expected to grow by another 2.5 billion by 2050.

At September's climate summit, more than 70 countries, committed to zero carbon emissions by 2050, and a number of initiatives are helping beef up efforts to combate the climate crisis.

Among them are, the Leadership for Urban Climate Investment financing mechanism, the Cities Climate Finance Gap Fund for urban infrastructure, and the Zero Carbon Buildings for All initiative.

The C40 Summit "is an important step on the journey for progress-to share best practicies" he said. "A greener future has started, it's gaining momentum...but we still have a long way to go. We are not yet there."

The C40 World Mayors Summit will run from 10 to 11 October, with side events scheduled for 9 and 12 October.