“During the so-called ‘implementation COP’, the absence of commitments on issues related to urbanization is not a mere technical detail – it is a symptom of a structural gridlock in climate multilateralism. Is the game, then, already lost?” reflects Philip Yang, Special Envoy of the COP30 Presidency for Urban Solutions, in this special guest op-ed.
Belém, host city of COP30, shows that protecting the Amazon means empowering its cities and people. Through its Local Climate Action Plan, nature-based solutions and a 2050 vision of climate neutrality, the city is positioning itself as a model of climate resilience and sustainability
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.
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.
As a signatory to the Climate Champions’ Food Systems Call to Action, ICLEI’s Global CityFood Program will showcase city-led solutions and its commitment to a just transition and collective action across several COP30 events.
As the world turns its attention to Belém for COP30, ICLEI is raising up the voices of cities in the Amazon.
With only 27 new NDCs submitted by June 2025, covering just 21% of global emissions, are governments actually delivering on that promise?
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.
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.
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.
Every year, the Bonn Climate Talks – formally the sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SBs) – serve as the mid-year checkpoint on the road to the annual COP. With over 6,000 national delegates and civil society representatives expected, the SB62 (16-26 June 2025) is far from routine.
On 19 May 2025, ICLEI South America virtually promoted the second Meeting of the National Coordination Group of the Local…