Food is a cornerstone of health, dignity and wellbeing—yet many cities face challenges in ensuring access to healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate food. Discover how cities in the Malmö Commitment Network are building inclusive food systems that serve everyone, especially the most vulnerable.

The launch of the LGMA National Coordination Group in Brasília marks a major milestone for climate federalism and multilevel governance in Brazil. Co-organized by ICLEI, the group brings together national ministries, local leaders, and civil society to ensure subnational voices help shape Brazil’s role at COP30.

Looking ahead to COP30, what cities and regions do in advance of this global climate summit may matter more than the conference itself. On the road to Belém, local and regional governments have a unique opportunity to engage with their national governments, shift the trajectory of the climate emergency, and push for inclusive, multilevel climate action.

With platforms like CitiesWithNature, the Berlin Urban Nature Pact, and metrics like the 3-30-300 rule, local and subnational governments are now better equipped than ever to track their impact and drive systemic change, proving that the path to a nature-positive future starts on the ground.

Who owns the land, and who gets to decide how it’s used? These questions are not just about property—they are about power, rights, and justice. Explore the vital connections between urban and rural areas and the role of gender justice in sustainable land management. 

The Malmö Commitment pioneers are exploring how targeted energy efficiency measures can support energy equity, demonstrating how these measures can contribute significantly to making housing more affordable for everyone.

As we begin a pivotal year, many global north countries are facing elections and leadership changes, testing the world’s commitment to sustainable development. Last year, we witnessed several key global processes needing to continue into 2025 – like the biodiversity negotiations and the Plastics Treaty – or delivering a disappointing lack of ambition, such as the climate COP. Here are the ten things we’re watching for in 2025 regarding the global sustainability agendas.

To wrap up 2024, we delve into the diverse array of stories that proved to be our most popular of the year - five stories that resonated, shaping and informing perspectives on sustainable urban development.

The urgent call for increased climate finance for local and regional governments has resonated globally with stakeholders rallying to address this challenge. Initial commitments and progress on mechanisms at COP29 in Baku, while encouraging, mark just the beginning of a critical journey toward COP30 in Belém, Brazil.

Housing affordability has become an increasingly urgent global issue, driven by factors such as inflation, rising living expenses, increased construction...

Throughout 2024, Daring Cities spotlighted the Town Hall COPs initiative as an innovative mechanism linking local climate emergency action to national and global efforts. How do the Town Hall COPs fit into the current global climate arena? We brought this discussion to COP29.

At the Water for Climate Pavilion at COP29 on 19 November,  the importance of locally-led initiatives and multilevel governance approaches in implementing effective water management was in the spotlight.

Despite cities being home to the majority of G7 citizens, local governments are not yet systematically consulted by national governments on critical decisions affecting their communities. The Urban7 (U7) is seeking to change that within the G7 group of countries. Local government representation in international fora doesn’t end with the United Nations agendas, such as the Climate COPs. Local and regional governments are advocating for representation - especially with regards to sustainable development objectives - on multiple fronts, including the G7, G20 and other multilateral platforms. 

The Multilevel Action & Urbanization Pavilion launched at COP29 in Baku with a powerful message: Addressing the climate emergency requires...

In recent years, more and more local and regional government leaders are traveling to international environmental conferences, like the annual Climate COPs or the ICLEI World Congress. These meetings provide the opportunity to discuss solutions to global and local challenges. But at the same time, the concrete value of elected leaders’ engagement can at times be difficult to grasp. What is the value for such in-person meetings? How does the community back home benefit?

Hundreds of cities’ representatives and their partners have come together at the Daring Cities 2024 to exchange solutions and discuss their strategies to tackle the climate emergency. How does this translate into practice? The event showcased many real-life cases that offer inspiration for other local and regional governments to dare to take bold, transformative steps forward

The 100% Renewables Cities and Regions Roadmap project has turned a global dream into reality, guiding cities and regions toward 100% renewable energy. ICLEI's Head of Sustainable Energy share share his insights on this journey.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Digital tools increasingly play a role for cities as they design strategies to combat climate change. Learn how cities around the world are leveraging AI and technology is crucial for building sustainable and resilient urban environments.

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.

Water challenges often exacerbate social inequalities. Examples from São Paulo, Puducherry, and Boulder showcase innovative practices such as data-driven decision-making, valuing natural water storage, and community engagement in water management.

Urban areas can restore ecosystems and improve residents' well-being. Cities like São Paulo, Puducherry, and Austin showcased innovative strategies for urban resilience and economic growth, proving that systemic change for a sustainable future is possible.

Green bonds can unlock infrastructure investment opportunities for cities and nations to finance transformative solutions.

Shimokawa Town in Hokkaido is the smallest member of ICLEI Japan. Rich in forest resources, it has become a model...

By embracing the wisdom of First Peoples and integrating cultural burning into modern land management, we can protect landscapes, restore ecosystems, and strengthen our connection with nature.

The Republic of Korea hosted INC-5, bringing national governments together to forge a global treaty to end plastic pollution. This initiative began at the 2022 UN Environment Assembly with the adoption of Resolution 5.14 titled: End Plastic Pollution: towards an international legally binding instrument.

What happens when around 100 stakeholders from five continents come together to discuss urban agrifood systems transformation? In September 2024, the Urban Agrifood Systems Global Workshop—co-organized by FAO and ICLEI—turned FAO headquarters in Rome into a vibrant marketplace of ideas. Check out the outcomes.

Aiming for net-zero emissions in 2050, the largest city on the island of Taiwan has successfully implemented several initiatives, like its "Energy-Saving E-House Program," the region's first-ever housing energy-saving initiative engaging private stakeholders from the real estate sector and local communities.

From COP29 and the AfriFOODLinks Consortium to the ICLEI World Congress and key conferences across Europe, here’s how ICLEI took charge to involve youth in shaping the sustainability agenda during 2024.

From 9 to 11 September 2024, over 100 participants from five continents gathered at FAO headquarters in Rome for the Urban Agrifood Systems Global Workshop, co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and ICLEI. The workshop laid the groundwork for the co-creation of a five-year Roadmap toward transforming urban agrifood systems.