Can cities run on renewables? Kenya’s Kisumu County has a roadmap to prove it

Can cities run on renewables? Kenya’s Kisumu County has a roadmap to prove it

ByBarbara Riedemann

On 1 August, ICLEI, in partnership with the County Government of Kisumu, unveiled a tailored-made roadmap towards 100% renewable energy by 2050. Under the 100% Renewables Cities and Regions Roadmap project, Kisumu is sparking the shift to transition its energy landscape. By targeting key sectors such as electricity, transport and clean cooking, the county is setting a powerful example for urban areas worldwide on how to embrace renewable energy solutions.

Seizing the moment: Local action to address biodiversity loss and climate change

Seizing the moment: Local action to address biodiversity loss and climate change

ByBarbara Riedemann

Building on the unprecedented COP28’s multilevel action momentum and with the upcoming COP16 and COP29 by year-end, cities and regions have an actual window of opportunity to amplify their voices in the global climate discussions. At the ICLEI World Congress 2024 plenary, “From Global to Local to Global: Shaping the Future of Sustainability,” mayors and climate leaders emphasized that now is the time for local and regional governments to push for unified, cross-government action to achieve the urgently needed transformations toward a sustainable world.

Cities can bring CHAMP to life

Cities can bring CHAMP to life

ByBarbara Riedemann

During the ICLEI World Congress 2024 closing plenary on 21 June, Katja Dörner, Mayor of Bonn, Germany, and chair of the Climate Action Governance Portfolio for the ICLEI Global Executive Committee, called on urban leaders to proactively engage with their national governments and local government associations to enhance NDCs by 2025 and support CHAMP. National associations of local governments – under the leadership of ICLEI governance Members – in Germany, Brazil, and the U.S. have pledged to CHAMP, pioneering a global movement to push for stronger local involvement in national climate plans.

Transformando los compromisos en acciones: Lo más destacado de la sesión plenaria de clausura del Congreso Mundial ICLEI 2024

Transformando los compromisos en acciones: Lo más destacado de la sesión plenaria de clausura del Congreso Mundial ICLEI 2024

ByBarbara Riedemann

Del 18 al 21 de junio, más de 1.500 asistentes de todo el mundo se reunieron en São Paulo, Brasil, para celebrar el papel vital de las redes internacionales en la conexión de ciudades, pueblos, regiones y comunidades. Durante la sesión plenaria de clausura del Congreso, los líderes de ICLEI subrayaron el poder de la colaboración y el intercambio de conocimientos para avanzar en los esfuerzos locales de sostenibilidad y hacer frente a los desafíos compartidos, impulsando las transformaciones globales tan necesarias.

Transformando compromissos em ação: Destaques da Plenária de Encerramento do Congresso Mundial ICLEI 2024

Transformando compromissos em ação: Destaques da Plenária de Encerramento do Congresso Mundial ICLEI 2024

ByBarbara Riedemann

De 18 a 21 de junho, mais de 1.500 participantes globais se reuniram em São Paulo, Brasil, para celebrar o papel vital das redes internacionais na conexão de cidades, vilas, regiões e comunidades. Durante a plenária de encerramento do Congresso, os líderes do ICLEI enfatizaram o poder da colaboração e da troca de conhecimentos no avanço dos esforços locais de sustentabilidade e no enfrentamento de desafios compartilhados, impulsionando as transformações globais tão necessárias.

Transforming commitments into action: Highlights from the ICLEI World Congress 2024 Closing Plenary

Transforming commitments into action: Highlights from the ICLEI World Congress 2024 Closing Plenary

ByBarbara Riedemann

From June 18 to 21, over 1,500 global attendees converged in São Paulo, Brazil, to celebrate the vital role of international networks in connecting cities, towns, regions, and communities. During the Congress’ closing plenary, ICLEI leaders underscored the power of collaboration and knowledge exchange in advancing local sustainability efforts and tackling shared challenges, propelling the much-needed global transformations.

Cidades amazônicas, únicas e insubstituíveis: Tornando a Amazônia urbana visível

Cidades amazônicas, únicas e insubstituíveis: Tornando a Amazônia urbana visível

ByBarbara Riedemann

As cidades amazônicas são diversas em termos de oportunidades e necessidades. A biodiversidade da região está entre as mais importantes do mundo, mas os desafios de sustentabilidade de suas cidades são menos conhecidos. Essas jurisdições precisam de apoio financeiro e capacitação para criar espaços sustentáveis, orientados para a conservação, equitativos e baseados na natureza com desenvolvimento circular. No Congresso Mundial ICLEI, os prefeitos dessa região se reuniram para amplificar as vozes dessas cidades únicas.

Las ciudades amazónicas, únicas e irremplazables: Visibilizando la Amazonia urbana

Las ciudades amazónicas, únicas e irremplazables: Visibilizando la Amazonia urbana

ByBarbara Riedemann

Las ciudades amazónicas son diversas en oportunidades y necesidades. La biodiversidad de la región es una de las más importantes del mundo, pero los retos de sostenibilidad de sus ciudades son menos conocidos. Estas juridicciones necesitan apoyo financiero y desarrollo de capacidades para crear espacios sostenibles, orientados a la conservación, equitativos, basados en la naturaleza y con un desarrollo circular. En el Congreso Mundial de ICLEI, alcaldes de esta región se reunieron para amplificar las voces de estas ciudades únicas.

Amazonian cities, unique and irreplaceable: Making the urban amazon visible

Amazonian cities, unique and irreplaceable: Making the urban amazon visible

ByBarbara Riedemann

Amazonian cities are diverse in opportunities and needs. The region’s biodiversity is amongst the world’s most important but its cities’ sustainability challenges are less well-known. These jurisdictions require financial support and capacity building to create sustainable, conservation-oriented, equitable, nature-based spaces with circular development. At the ICLEI World Congress, mayors from this region convened to amplify the voices of these unique cities.

Navigating our changing world: Insights on local urban climate action

Navigating our changing world: Insights on local urban climate action

ByBarbara Riedemann

In a world increasingly shaped by the climate emergency, cities are stepping into the forefront of resilience and sustainability efforts. During the ICLEI World Congress’ plenary “Our Changing World,” ICLEI Members and experts discussed how cities can leverage local initiatives to drive global impact, emphasizing the urgency of integrated approaches to mitigate environmental risks and build climate-resilient communities worldwide.

ICLEI World Congress 2024 celebrates local government networks’ role in global sustainability

ICLEI World Congress 2024 celebrates local government networks’ role in global sustainability

ByBarbara Riedemann

The ICLEI World Congress 2024 Opening Ceremony resounded with a clarion call for multilevel action and cooperation to drive sustainable development. Over 1200 attendees gathered to celebrate the vital role of global networks in connecting cities, towns, regions, and communities worldwide, further accelerating ambitious climate action.

Nurturing a collaborative research and innovation ecosystem to accelerate sustainable urban development

Nurturing a collaborative research and innovation ecosystem to accelerate sustainable urban development

ByBarbara Riedemann

On 18 June, the first day of the ICLEI World Congress 2024 in São Paulo, Brazil, the Global Research & Innovation Symposium will convene researchers, innovators, urban practitioners, and investors to foster a new generation of “next practices.” Significant topics will shape this seventh edition, including high-level plenaries on the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities (SRCC) and discussions on agenda-setting innovation and emerging technologies. The event also features its signature Research & Innovation Marketplace, offering an interactive space for bridging the gap between concepts, action, research, and financial support.