Blog

What is the progress on the Global Plastic Treaty and how it could impact subnational governments
March 2, 2024
2023 has been a year of tremendous progress for Circular Development, but we have a lot more work that needs to be accelerated as 2030 is not far away. At the same time, we need to ensure that all gains made towards making our cities, provinces, and states, circular and sustainable are not lost. ICLEI’s Circular 

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Can you build an investment-ready climate project?
February 21, 2024
How can we build capacity for local and regional officials to access diverse funding sources for climate adaptation and mitigation projects? Between 13-16 February, UrbanShift hosted the Marrakech City Academy for Africa in Morocco, engaging nearly 80 participants from 25 cities across seven countries in intensive learning on Climate Finance and Urban Biodiversity. ICLEI led 

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Insuring our future: Strengthening disaster resilience in Latin America and the Caribbean
February 20, 2024
In November 2023, the Urban Infrastructure Insurance Facility (UIIF) Project hosted its first in-person event in San José, Costa Rica. The gathering brought together representatives from various Latin American and Caribbean cities and ICLEI, united by a common goal: To enhance their understanding and management of natural disasters. The dialogue was a melting pot of 

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Fair public financing: German cities push forward with attempts to make subsidy schemes more equitable
February 19, 2024
This piece was written by Olga Horn, Senior Officer, ICLEI World Secretariat & Daniel Botha, Expert Justice, Equity and Democracy, ICLEI European Secretariat  To expedite the renewable energy transition and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, many cities worldwide provide funding programs to assist residents – for instance in insulating their buildings or installing photovoltaics (PV) on 

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The City of São Paulo is on the move: Driving sustainable public transport
February 12, 2024
A wave of sustainable mobility is reshaping urban public transport in Brazil, led by the City of São Paulo’s pioneering eco-mobility solutions, boasting the largest fleet of electric buses in Latin America. With ambitious goals to cut carbon emissions by 50% by 2028, explore how this 12 million-people megacity is paving the way for a 

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Synchronize your calendar with our pick of urban sustainable development events
February 7, 2024
Keep important sustainability events right in your own calendar! You can subscribe to a global events list that highlights political events (such as UNFCCC meetings), webinars (from our Advocacy team and more), and conferences that contribute to the world of sustainable urban development, and synchronizes directly with the calendar client you already use. This list 

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CityFood in 2024: What’s cooking?
January 24, 2024
This piece was written by the ICLEI CityFood team. 2023 marked another big step to further consolidate food as a game changer, its interdependence with biodiversity, climate and health, and the need to address these systemically to achieve progress. With ten years on the ground, ICLEI’s CityFood is one of the oldest urban food programmes 

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Top 10 global sustainability events not to miss in 2024
January 24, 2024
In 2024, the global climate agenda is at a critical juncture following the outcomes of COP28, which have been described as the “beginning of the end” of the fossil fuel era. The stocktake at COP28 recognized the urgent need to cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030, compared to 2019 levels, to address 

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Local and regional governments stand ready to tackle the pandemic of inequality
December 18, 2023
The foundational topic of inequality was raised throughout COP28, but is most deeply felt in the day-to-day work of subnational governments who are the first responders to climate change impacts. Inequality cannot be tackled without tackling climate change, and climate change cannot be tackled without tackling inequality. On 2 December, as part of the inaugural 

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Belém, Brazil's largest Amazonian city, to host COP30
December 18, 2023
During the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai, Brazil’s bid to host COP30 in 2025, to be held in Belém, the most populous municipality in the state of Pará, part of the eastern Amazon region, was approved by consensus. In the face of the 

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Building resilience: Urban stories from the Global South at COP28
December 18, 2023
As our world urbanizes swiftly, cities like Melaka, Independencia, Lusaka, and Minas Gerais State are taking strides to transform climate challenges into opportunities for resilient, sustainable futures. Explore their stories of innovation and adaptation. Melaka, Malaysia: Integrating tourism into resilience plans “Mass tourism has created an economic boost for the city. The challenge is to 

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CHAMP: Catalyzing global climate goals through national and subnational cooperation
December 18, 2023
As the world grapples with the harsh reality of falling off the Paris Agreement track, the COP28 Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnership (CHAMP) for Climate Action, provides a small ray of hope for getting back on track. The initiative commits endorsing countries to enhance cooperation with their local, regional and other subnational governments – 

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No time to lose: the EU must bring multilevel governance home to implement COP28 outcomes
December 18, 2023
Climate negotiations in Dubai at COP28 have been unprecedented in many ways, not the least in securing agreement on the Loss and Damage Financing Mechanism on its first day and paving the way for ending the fossil fuel era. Among others, one of the most notable aspects of COP28 was the role that subnational level 

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Tracing youth: ICLEI's youth engagement at COP28
December 15, 2023
Did you know that half of the planet’s inhabitants are 35 or younger and will represent 60% of the urban population by the end of 2030? These facts reinforce the urgency to amplify youth voices and ensure their active participation in steering a sustainable future. Here’s how ICLEI took charge to involve youth in shaping 

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How can cities become catalysts for climate action innovation?
December 12, 2023
Urban innovation is not only about technology; it encompasses policy-making, finance, climate action communication, and even human interaction innovations. Explore how cities can not only address climate challenges but also reshape the narrative of existing possibilities by adopting human needs and solution-finding approaches for a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban landscape.    “Cities are already 

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Resilience Hubs in action: Cities leading the way
December 9, 2023
More than twenty cities worldwide are recognized as Resilience Hubs, a certification given to cities when they achieve a high level of resilience. Explore the latest initiatives from Bonn, Germany, and the recent addition to this network, Venice, Italy, as they embark on their journey toward an inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban landscape.   

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Local youth voices going global: Uganda’s youth-led stocktake
December 9, 2023
Under the #Stocktake4ClimateEmergency initiative, 26 cities and regions staged their local events that officially contributed to the first Global Stocktake. Three of these were led by youth from Africa in Accra, Ghana; Nairobi, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda. Leading the charge behind Kampala’s event is Walter Osigai Etipesit, a youth climate advocate who firmly believes in 

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Key takeaways for cities and subnationals at INC-3
December 8, 2023
This blog was written by Dr Magash Naidoo, Head of Circular Development, ICLEI World Secretariat One thing has become clear, there is a lot at stake. Our health, our natural environment, our economies, and our social equity. Yet, there are many narrow interests being pursued that make pursuing the ‘greater good’ objectives of the UNEA 

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Cities’ leadership inspires food and climate action on the global stage
December 8, 2023
This blog was written by Peter Defranceschi, Head ICLEI CityFood Program Never before has there been an international climate conference that emphasizes the urgent need to not only put food on the table, but also include it in climate negotiations.  In fact, COP28 has a dedicated Food Day every day and the Emirates Declaration on 

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Townhall COPs energizing Global Stocktake towards and beyond COP28
December 5, 2023
In the lead-up to COP28, 26 cities and regions hosted their local events that officially contributed to the first Global Stocktake by turning their town halls into COP venues. Explore the process, the outcomes, and practical examples of this inventory exercise that brings cities and regions’ voices into global climate discussions.  As COP28 unfolds in 

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Working together to usher in just and sustainable energy transitions for people and planet
December 3, 2023
Worldwide, national and subnational governments are setting targets and developing policies to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy systems that ensure energy security and climate neutrality. Global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian war in Ukraine make the need for this energy transition even more critical. Implementing such a transition requires collaborating 

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Learnings from the G7 Roundtable on Subnational Climate Actions
December 3, 2023
Recognizing the “transformative power of cities worldwide as drivers for every aspect of sustainable development” With recognition of the vital role of both subnational and national governments in the climate agenda, the G7 Roundtable on Subnational Climate Actions was established by the G7 Climate, Energy and Environment Ministers Meeting in 2023 under the presidency of 

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Transformative roads: Three Brazilian cities toward sustainable transport
December 1, 2023
A wave of sustainable mobility is reshaping urban public transport in Brazil. From São Paulo’s shift to electric buses to the search for integrated urban transportation planning in Belém and Porto Alegre, explore how these cities contribute to a greener journey. São Paulo, pioneering sustainable mobility This is not just any city. It’s a “megacity” 

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Beyond the hype: ICLEI's experts reveal their COP28 expectations
November 29, 2023
As the world counts down to COP28, more than 70,000 worldwide delegates set to converge in Dubai from November 30 to December 12.  We’ve turned the spotlight on fourteen members of ICLEI’s international team of experts, by asking them to share their insights on why they are going to COP, what they want to achieve, 

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Localizing the Global Stocktake: Subnational governments making a global impact on climate change
November 27, 2023
Under the #Stocktake4ClimateEmergency banner, 28 cities and regions have staged their local events that officially contribute to the first Global Stocktake by turning their municipalities into mini-COP venues. Here is a deep-dive into real case examples from Hoboken and Denver in the USA and Rosario in Argentina. This blog was written by Anne Marie Cleary 

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Cities in motion: Celebrating the First World Sustainable Transport Day
November 25, 2023
26 November marks the first-ever United Nations World Sustainable Transport Day, promoting sustainable, efficient, and inclusive transport. ICLEI joins this celebration by spotlighting exemplary cities worldwide driving change—whether with electric buses in Quito, an urban freight revolution in Portland, or a decade of a car-free festival in Suwon, these urban innovators are paving the way 

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Nature-based solutions in MENA Cities: A key theme across the MENA Climate Week
October 18, 2023
This blog was written by León Díaz-Bone, Dr Nuha Eltinay, Madison Hodges, and Heba Mousa from ICLEI World Secretariat. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region, identified as a climate change hot spot by the IPCC, faces immense challenges in adapting to climate impacts and achieving a just transition. Cities, often located in low-lying 

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Lessons from five daring cities that are paving the way toward a just and equitable climate emergency response
October 17, 2023
Throughout this year, hundreds of cities, towns, and regions have gathered at Daring Cities 2023 to discuss their approaches in the face of the climate emergency. These exchanges have produced a set of key findings, which emerge from three core pillars: justice and equity, innovative climate solutions, and multilevel action.  So, how does this translate 

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UrbanShift Asia Forum 2023: Transforming cities for a sustainable tomorrow
October 17, 2023
This blog was written by Rene Nüsslein, Karishma Asarpota, and Matteo Bizzotto from ICLEI, and Eillie Anzilotti from WRI In the last ten years, the population of Delhi’s metro area has nearly doubled. Over 30 million people now live in India’s capital region, which spans five states and around 1,500 square kilometers. In Delhi, it’s 

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Three pillars to empower women in climate and disaster risk financing: Bridging the gender gap
October 11, 2023
“Natural hazards, such as floods, droughts, and earthquakes, are gender-neutral, but their impacts are not.” This statement from the World Bank highlights the inequalities women face when experiencing climate hazards, especially when it comes to finance. With 742 million women excluded from financial services worldwide and half struggling to secure emergency funds within a month, 

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ICLEI at the UN High-Level Week: Local Governments as the ‘Rescue Plan’ for the SDGs and climate
September 20, 2023
Each year in September, the heart of global diplomacy beats in New York City for the UN General Assembly meetings. This year, Heads of States are additionally expected to renew their commitments on sustainability and climate through the Sustainable Development Goals Summit (16 – 19 September) and the UN Secretary General’s Climate Ambition Summit (20 

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Cities in Drive: Lessons from EcoLogistics Pilot Projects Towards  Sustainable Urban Freight
September 20, 2023
In nine cities spanning Argentina, Colombia, and India, a movement towards a more eco-friendly and efficient urban freight system is gaining momentum. From Rosario’s innovative public cargo bicycle network to Panaji’s reimagined last-mile delivery services, these cities are making substantial strides toward a future dominated by zero emissions. These remarkable efforts among the Stakeholders working 

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Strategies for efficiency in urban cooling: A focus on Asia and beyond
September 19, 2023
Asia’s urban areas have experienced a dramatic increase in electricity consumption, especially for cooling systems. To address this issue, UrbanShift gathered regional experts through a webinar in collaboration with ICLEI Energy Exchanges, to explore energy-efficient urban planning and building design strategies. From cost-effective ways, such as using vegetation for shading, or changing the roof color 

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Nine ways design can forge a circular economy in cities
September 5, 2023
Ecodesign and the circular economy are interconnected concepts that share the common objective of addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices. While they share the same goals, they operate at distinct phases within a product’s lifecycle, resulting in a comprehensive approach to sustainable development.   What is Ecodesign? Ecodesign, also known as sustainable design or 

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