New policy brief released: Towards carbon-neutral circular economies at the regional level

At the 2019 UN Climate Summit in Madrid, the City of Turku (Finland) will present their circular economy best practices during ICLEI’s Circular Development track at COP25. The City, ICLEI and the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra are also releasing today the policy brief “Towards carbon-neutral circular economies at the regional level”. The City of Turku 

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New policy brief released at COP25 calls on climate leaders to reduce emissions from food and agriculture

Agriculture is one of the major indirect drivers of biodiversity loss. Increased food production, as a result of intensive agricultural practices, has an immense impact on terrestrial ecosystems and has led to a decrease in nature’s contributions to people. A new policy brief released on 4 December by the Center for Biological Diversity, ICLEI and 

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Infographic: Highlights from CDP and ICLEI’s unified reporting system

Local and regional governments are stepping up on climate action. Over 1000 municipalities have declared a climate emergency and local and regional leaders are taking their place on the international stage this week at the 25th Climate COP in Madrid. Local and regional governments are also tackling major emissions sources within their own jurisdictions. They 

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Spotlight on nature’s critical value in the climate crisis

There’s an urgent need for cities to do a better job of protecting biodiversity, due to nature’s critical role both in combatting climate change and improving quality of life.  That was the overarching message at yesterday’s session on Integrating Biodiversity, Climate and Land Management at COP25. “We all know that the reduction of one-third of 

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Reflections on the first-ever COP Transport Day

COP25 marks the first-ever Transport Day hosted by a COP Presidency. The discussion among transport stakeholders is urgently needed yet has been long overdue. While 83% of NDCs (Nationally-Determined Contributions) identify transport as an important source of GHG emissions and an area for action, only 14% of NDCs set a transport sector emission reduction target.

Mayor Fernanda Hassem (centre) shares with the audience the many challenges the people of Brasiléia face due to climate change, as Mayor Surita of Boa Vista (left) and Mayor Chaves of Maranhão (right) look on.

Women mayor ‘warriors’ of the Amazon inspire COP25 delegates with stories of resilience

Mayor Fernanda Hassem (centre) shares with the audience the many challenges the people of Brasiléia face due to climate change, as Mayor Surita of Boa Vista (left) and Mayor Chaves of Maranhão (right) look on. “The federal government is neglecting the Amazon Rainforest. They’re not committed to the forest. And they’re leaving people who live 

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COP25 Infographic: How local and regional governments engage in global climate advocacy

COP25 is underway. The Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency has come to the annual Convention of the Parties with 100+ mayors and other subnational leaders from 40+ countries and 70 cities, participating in 120+ sessions supported by 20+ partners. How did this non-party stakeholder group come into being? At the Earth Summit in 

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Early days of COP25 highlights plight of most vulnerable nations

While much of the world’s attention is focused on limiting the long-term effects of global warming, the kick-off to COP25 fittingly shined light on the monumental challenges the world’s most vulnerable nations already face – challenges brought on by everything from rising sea levels to extreme weather patterns.

Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds

Anna Reynolds, Lord Mayor of Hobart, Australia, on the special role of capital cities in combating climate change

The capital cities are Australia’s best-known cities, and they are the economic engines of the country, so they have an important role to play in tackling climate change and working with the national government, the Lord Mayor from Hobart related in a recent interview.

CDP and ICLEI: Introducing streamlined climate reporting

Authors: Maryke van Staden, Director, Bonn Center for Local Climate Action and Reporting at ICLEI and Kyra Appleby, Global Director, Cities, States and Regions at CDP   Providing services for communities, protecting citizens and building better places to live, work and do business are the core priorities of local and regional governments everywhere. Climate action and 

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