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.

Working together to usher in just and sustainable energy transitions for people and planet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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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