What NDCs 3.0 are (and aren’t) saying about multilevel, inclusive climate action
With only 27 new NDCs submitted by June 2025, covering just 21% of global emissions, are governments actually delivering on that promise?
Advocacy & diplomacy Global Advocacy ICLEI organization Multilevel governance Zero emission Development
Can local climate dialogues really shape national climate action? The Town Hall COP Initiative is trying to prove they can
ICLEI’s Town Hall COP Initiative is emerging as a powerful model to make climate action truly locally led, transformation-oriented, and, most importantly, nationally relevant.
Chengdu hosts regional UrbanShift Academy to help cities shape climate goals
As national governments are preparing their next round of Nationally Determined Contributions, their success depends heavily on actions taken at the local level.
Four steps to finance nature-based solutions in cities
As cities face extreme weather events and growing inequality, nature-based solutions (NbS) can boost biodiversity, manage risks, and improve urban life. But financing remains the biggest hurdle. Turning ideas into action means rethinking how we plan, value, and invest in nature.
Mind the Gap: How youth fall between presence and power in urban governance
This op-ed guest article argues that youth participation in urban governance must move beyond symbolism to real power, especially in the Global South.
Smart Seoul: How the city is cultivating a tech push through urban farming and wildfire detection
From subway-grown vegetables to instant wildfire alerts, Seoul, Republic of Korea, is making AI work in everyday life.
Climate adaptation Ecosystems & biodiversity Mexico, Central America & the Caribbean Oceania Resource access Resource security Southeast Asia Water
Five reasons why oceans are important to cities and why cities are important for our oceans
Local and regional governments are paying attention to the multilateral oceans agenda because of the myriad ways life in coastal cities, towns and regions depends on the health and sustainability of our oceans.
Local action to drive sustainable tourism for the communities and nature
How can we ensure tourism not only thrives but also helps protect our planet?
Advocacy & diplomacy Daring Cities 2025 Global Advocacy Multilevel governance Zero emission Development
From Bonn to Belém: How national commitments and cities together can deliver a climate-ready future
Under the umbrella of Daring Cities 2025 Bonn Dialogues, this event highlighted the importance of partnerships to deliver not just ambitious plans, but real climate action for a thriving future.
Advocacy & diplomacy Climate mitigation Daring Cities 2025 Global Advocacy Multilevel governance Zero emission Development
From fragmentation to structure: CHAMP helps scaling climate action across all levels
The 2nd CHAMP UNFCCC Focal Point Dialogue provided a platform for national government endorsers and their strategic partners to assess progress and guide CHAMP’s implementation toward COP30.
Advocacy & diplomacy Climate mitigation Global Advocacy Multilevel governance Zero emission Development
An urban COP30 may be coming. Are national plans ready for it?
Mostly not. And that’s an issue, since one of the drivers of success for COP30 could be how well the NDCs 3.0 reflect and enable climate action in cities.
Advocacy & diplomacy Climate adaptation Climate mitigation Daring Cities 2025 Global Advocacy Multilevel governance
Cities, climate, and convergence: What the first Annual Review on the Rio Conventions tells us
Born from the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, these three multilateral environmental agreements have shaped how the international community approaches global environmental challenges.