Mayor Annise Parker returned from a week- long visit to South Africa where she represented Houston at the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group Mayor’s Summit.

“This will be the first visit of a Houston mayor to South Africa in more than a decade,” said Mayor Parker. “I look forward to meeting with my C40 colleagues from around the world to share knowledge and discuss ways to impact climate change. It’s also wonderful that the GHP was able to coordinate a trade mission at the same time. We will be pursuing opportunities to strengthen economic ties, promote the planned spaceport at Ellington Field and grow our international air service. It will be a very busy, but productive week.”

Mayor Parker’s cued time to speak to was February 5, 2014 and she spoke on “Measure to Manage: Measurement & Data in Advancing City Climate Agendas.” Parker highlighted the 26 percent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction the City has achieved since 2007 and the City’s leadership in renewable energy, energy efficiency and alternative transportation. She also participated in the release of the Climate Action in Megacities 2.0 report, a quantitative study of efforts to reduce GHG emissions and improve urban resilience to climate change.

“Our economy is diverse and robust, and it matches up well with the types of industries that South African entrepreneurs and business people are pursuing,” said Greater Houston Partnership President and CEO Bob Harvey.”

Many other representatives came from Houston such as State Senator Rodney Ellis (D-Houston), Councilmember Jack Christie, as well as, city staff accompanying the mayor such as Sustainability Director Laura Spanjian, Aviation Director Mario Diaz, and Chief Development Officer Andy Icken.
More than 370 Houston companies report business or trade ties with South Africa. Of the 214 firms in the Houston region affiliated with subsidiaries in South Africa, 14 are headquartered in Houston, according to the Mayor’s office.