Five insights for cities facing water bankruptcy
What happens when water scarcity is no longer temporary? The concept of “water bankruptcy,” developed by 2026 Stockholm Water Prize…
Land degradation doesn’t stop at city limits: Local leaders make the case at the UNCCD COP17 Mayors’ Forum
In Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, local and regional leaders called for a stronger voice, greater resources and a more structured role in the global response to land degradation, desertification and drought.
Why the IPCC’s next report could be a turning point for cities
The forthcoming Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Climate Change and Cities (SR-Cities) could become a major scientific and political resource for urban climate action. But whether it does will depend on work already underway to translate evidence into stronger multilevel governance, practical tools, investment-ready solutions, and locally meaningful narratives.
Only 15 percent of SDGs are on track. At the UN High-Level Political Forum, cities showed a way
ICLEI emphasized the indispensable role of local and regional governments in delivering global commitments and helping shape the international framework that will succeed them.
SB64 showed the cost of slow progress – yet local and regional governments can map the way forward
While negotiations at SB64 progressed slowly, cities and regions demonstrated that climate implementation is already underway. Their experiences show why multilevel governance and stronger partnerships are essential to delivering national climate commitments ahead of COP31.
Cities are in the plans. Are they getting the support to deliver them?
COP30 has come and gone. NDCs 3.0 are on the table. The global community has made its commitments. The question now is whether and how those commitments will actually be delivered.
UN beyond 80: An opportunity to position multilevel collaboration and urbanization to save multilateralism and sustainability
After turning 80 in 2025, the United Nations has entered a new era with major reform processes unfolding simultaneously. With only four years until the 2030 Agenda review, multilevel collaboration and urbanization could determine whether multilateralism delivers or falls short.
Eight signs 2026 isn’t business as usual for urban sustainability agendas
For better or worse, the year ahead brings a mix of reforms, political shifts and global milestones that will shape how urban sustainability agendas are governed and delivered. Here’s what local and regional governments should be on the lookout for this year.
Cities and regions address opportunities and needs on key environmental issues at UN Environment Assembly
As co-focal point of the Local Authorities Major Group, ICLEI ensures cities’ and regions’ voices are represented in the UNEA process, with subnationals calling for stronger synergies with the Rio Conventions and other Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
A new chapter for climate federalism in Brazil: Lessons and legacy from the LGMA National Coordination Group for COP30
Brazil’s pioneering multilevel coordination effort is reshaping multilevel governance and collaboration at home and inspiring global pathways. From the beginning, the intention of this group was to bring climate federalism to life: National, state, and local actors aligning positions, sharing knowledge, and building a unified narrative that could travel from the streets of Brazilian cities to the negotiation rooms of the UNFCCC.
From local priorities to youth inclusive NDCs: What should COP30 deliver for youth?
17-18 November are COP30’s days to elevate both planetary and community stewardship, with a spotlight on youth. For young people – and particularly YOUNGO, the official children and youth constituency within the UNFCCC process – COP30 is an opportunity to continue advocating for multi-generational priorities into the proceedings.
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?