Ten urban sustainability projects in 11 cities from around the world were selected for this year’s C40 Cities Award. The projects were chosen for their excellence in urban planning, commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dedication to improving resiliency, according to a statement announcing this year's winners. The awards were handed out during the C40 Mayors Summit in Mexico City, which brought together 40 mayors from some of the world’s biggest cities.

Addis Ababa won in the transportation category for its light rail transit project, which has improved the city’s public transport system and created more than 6,000 jobs. Its emission reduction potential is forecasted at 1.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030. Curitiba, Brazil prevailed in the sustainable communities category for its urban agriculture project that both cuts CO2 emissions and provides food to 20,000 citizens per year. Shenzhen, one of the fastest growing cities in the world with a population of 15 million, won in the finance and economic development category for recruiting 636 companies to join its emissions trading system that uncouples GDP potential from greenhouse gas emissions.

The rest of this year’s winners are: Copenhagen (adaption in action), Sydney and Melbourne (building energy efficiency), Paris (adaptation plans and assessments), Portland (climate action plans and inventories), Seoul (social equity and climate change) and Yokohama (clean energy).

“The C40 Cities Awards recognise the best and boldest work being done by mayors to fight climate change and protect people from risks,” said Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City and president of the C40’s board. “The winning projects show that great progress is being made on every continent, and they serve as an inspiration to other cities. They also show how cities can help the world meet the ambitious goals set a year ago in Paris.”