With the message to go green out in force, the global climate conference hosted by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former President Bill Clinton came to a close Thursday morning.

As the C-40 Large Cities Climate Summit wrapped up, participants had a strong message for local governments to help tackle the world's growing environmental issues, to give more power to local officials.

"National governments either can't or won't take action, and city leaders who are very close to their communities know what's needed and are taking action,” said Lord Mayor of Sydney, Australia Clover Moore. “And it’s very encouraging to meet other city leaders to find, that's their experience too."

Clinton announced an agreement with Microsoft to develop tools to help cities track emissions.

He also announced a partnership between several international banks and sixteen cities, including New York, to install environmental upgrades in city owned buildings. The projects include replacing existing heating, cooling and lighting systems with more efficient models.

Meanwhile, the mayors of Copenhagen and Sydney ditched their motorcades in favor of bicycles during the conference.

The Copenhagen mayor says 40 percent of the city's population bikes to work or to school every day.

"We are trying to show the New Yorkers that going on a bike is a great way to get around,” said Klaus Bondam, the environmental mayor of Copenhagen. “It's a very environmental friendly way to get around, and it gives you good exercise."

"We need to tread more gently on our earth, we need sustainable transport, it's much healthier for us," said Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore.

"This is a way, I think, for all world mayors to make a statement that bicycling is a pollution solution,” said Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Paul Steely White.

The leaders say bicycling is an effective way to reduce carbon emissions, improve health, and have fun.

The Mayor's Bike Ride was an event sponsored by Transportation Alternatives, which encourages people to see bike riding as a modern, green mode of transportation and urges mayors to build an infrastruture to accomodate bike riders.

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