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.

Reflecting on how to elevate the momentum on multilevel climate action beyond COP28

Wrapping up Daring Cities’ 2024 Cornerstone I “Reflect,” two in-depth webinars gathered local leaders and climate representatives to discuss past climate initiatives, especially those stemming from COP28. Here, we share their insights exploring how cities and regions can leverage COP28 outcomes, particularly the CHAMP initiative, as we move forward to the upcoming COPs in Baku 

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São Paulo’s sustainability vision linking health, resilience and food access

As São Paulo’s thermometers marked record-breaking temperatures last year, the heat wave refused to relent, with March 2024 hitting nearly 35°C—the highest for the month since 1943. The City of São Paulo is committed to nurturing a healthier, more resilient community by tackling health-related issues due to rising temperatures and air pollution. Here, we spotlight 

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Latin America leading: From ICLEI World Congress 2024 to COP30

Amidst the urgency of global climate action, São Paulo, Brazil, emerges as a shining example of dedication and progress towards sustainability. In June 2024, the city will host the ICLEI World Congress, a pivotal event that brings together leaders and stakeholders to advance environmental goals and foster international cooperation. This Congress is not just a 

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Fort Collins’ sustainability journey: A testament to holistic nature conservation

Fort Collins, Colorado, stands as a beacon of exemplary sustainability efforts, particularly evident in its commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 15 – Life on Land (SDG 15). The City’s journey unfolds through a series of initiatives and projects aimed at addressing biodiversity loss, land degradation, and ecosystem preservation, while also fostering community engagement and advancing 

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City food procurement is an investment in our planet

This piece was written by Kate MacKenzie, Executive Director at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Food Policy, and Tia Schwab, Policy Advisor at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Food Policy in collaboration with Betina Bergmann Madsen, Chief Procurement Officer at the Municipality of Copenhagen, and Sofie Folsach Rasmussen, Communications Advisor at 

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(Circular) cities at the forefront: Insights from UrbanShift’s Latin America Forum

As the world continues to shape the framework of the much-anticipated “Global Plastic Treaty”, the urgency to address the plastic pollution crisis has never been more pronounced. Spearheaded by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution, this international legally binding instrument has been in the making since 2022, aiming to complete its work by 

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Latin American cities rally in unprecedented line-up of events as UN cancels regional climate week

In its Quarterly Report 2024, the UNFCCC confirmed that this year’s Regional Climate Weeks, including the Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week, have been canceled until further notice due to “lack of funding.” These regional climate weeks are seen as crucial for promoting multilateral partnerships and coordination, fostering innovative approaches, and uniting efforts to tackle 

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Sowing the seeds for urban agriculture

Covering a third of São Paulo, rural areas are seamlessly connected to the city through the Sampa+Rural Program, a groundbreaking platform where citizens and visitors can discover local farmers, indulge in farm-fresh produce, and access ecotourism options. Explore how this bustling megalopolis is creating a sustainability hub that fosters rural development while promoting healthy living 

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Urban practitioners invited to help scope critical IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities

Authored by Pourya Salehi, Ariel Dekovic, Yunus Arikan, and Maryke van Staden from ICLEI World Secretariat At the 43rd session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in Nairobi in 2016, the panel decided to include a Special Report on Climate Change and Cities (SRCC) in the IPCC Seventh Assessment Cycle. This achievement marked 

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Equity served: How local governments can ensure a just transition for sustainable food systems

Access, participation, and opportunity are three key ingredients local governments should consider when promoting local agriculture, reducing food miles, or supporting community markets. Explore how to implement them and real city examples to follow suit.    *By María Alonso Martínez and ICLEI’s CityFood Team In recent years, the conversation around sustainable food systems has focused 

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