Opinions, ideas and knowledge you can apply to local and regional sustainable development.

Explore this blog to learn from local leaders, municipal staff and experts from around the world.

Building resilience: Urban stories from the Global South at COP28

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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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