Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nick Reece joins board of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy

The largest global alliance for city climate leadership appoints Lord Mayor Nick Reece to its Board of Mayors and Leaders to accelerate multilevel climate solutions


MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (August 28, 2025) – Today, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) – the world’s largest alliance of mayors for climate, representing more than 13,500 cities and local governments, and 1.2 billion people – announced the appointment of Lord Mayor Nick Reece of Melbourne, Australia, to its Board of Mayors and Leaders, where he will represent Oceania. As a passionate advocate for sustainability and climate action, Mayor Reece’s leadership will be instrumental in advancing ambitious, locally relevant climate and energy solutions, advancing GCoM’s mission both regionally and globally. 

As the Regional Secretariat for the Global Covenant of Mayors, ICLEI Oceania is delighted by the appointment of Lord Mayor Reece to this important position. This appointment is especially significant given that the City of Melbourne is not only a long-standing ICLEI member but also the host of our Oceania Secretariat.


Mayor Reece will work alongside co-chairs Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice President of the European Commission for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, in elevating city climate leadership and strengthening multilevel collaboration worldwide.

“From making buildings more energy efficient to expanding green spaces, Melbourne is becoming more resilient and sustainable under Mayor Reece’s leadership. He’s setting a strong example for mayors everywhere, and our board looks forward to working with him as we accelerate local climate action around the world,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies.


Lord Mayor Reece, the 105th Mayor of Melbourne, is leading transformative urban initiatives focused on environmental sustainability, reducing carbon emissions, and improving residents’  quality of life. His innovative programs include:

  • Greenline Project and New Parks: The creation of 28 new parks across Melbourne, including 4 kilometers of walkways and green spaces along the Yarra River's north bank, to enhance urban biodiversity and promote sustainability.

  • Adaptive Reuse of Urban Spaces: Transforming office, commercial, and industrial buildings into innovative, climate-friendly spaces that combat urban heat islands and encourage sustainable development.

  • Renewable energy transition: Driving a city-wide shift towards efficient, affordable, renewable energy and climate resilience through programs that support Melbourne’s most vulnerable communities and apartment residents to engage in the renewable energy transition.

In his new role as GCoM Board Member for Oceania, Mayor Reece will collaborate with global leaders to elevate city climate ambition, strengthen cooperation between local, regional, and national governments, and amplify Oceania’s voice on the global stage.

“I am deeply honored to join the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy as the Oceania Board Member. Cities are on the frontlines of the global climate crisis, and we have a responsibility to lead with urgent and ambitious solutions. I look forward to working alongside mayors and leaders worldwide to drive collective action and deliver real, measurable outcomes for our communities and our planet,” said Nick Reece, Mayor of Melbourne, Australia.

Mayor Reece’s appointment comes at a critical time, when cities around the globe are increasingly recognized as key players in addressing the global climate emergency. As part of GCoM’s leadership, he will help guide thousands of cities and local governments worldwide in setting bold targets, implementing innovative solutions, and unlocking critical financing to turn climate ambition into tangible action.

About the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM):

GCoM is the largest global alliance for city climate leadership, uniting a global coalition of over 13,500 cities and local governments and 100+ supporting partners. The cities and partners of GCoM share a long-term vision of supporting voluntary action to combat climate change and towards a resilient and low-emission society. GCoM serves cities and local governments by mobilizing and supporting ambitious, measurable, planned climate and energy action in their communities by working with city/regional networks, national governments, and other partners to achieve our vision. Led today by UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions Michael R. Bloomberg and European Commission Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera, the coalition comprises cities across 6 continents and 147 countries, representing over 1 billion people or more than 13 percent of the global population.

To learn more about GCoM, visit the website, or follow GCoM on X, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

ICLEI Oceania