At the subnational level, ICLEI drives change along five interconnected pathways that cut across sectors and jurisdictional boundaries. This design enables local and regional governments to develop solutions in a holistic and integrated way, creating change across entire urban systems. We influence sustainability policy and drive local action for zero emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development.
Many local governments still struggle to access affordable, long-term capital at scale. Green finance can help – when it is embedded in systems and treated as an institutional responsibility.
Municipalities pool their borrowing needs, present a combined credit profile to capital markets, issue bonds collectively, and lend the proceeds to member municipalities at lower cost.
The impacts of climate hazards are not gender-neutral; women are often among those most affected. As cities make critical decisions on climate policy and resilience investments, Recife, Brazil, is showing how empowering women leaders in vulnerable communities can strengthen climate resilience for all.
Identifying equity challenges creates better opportunities to build communities where benefits and burdens are fairly shared. Indicators that reflect geographic, social, and economic realities highlight where injustices exist so local governments can focus their efforts effectively.
Through ICLEI’s Transformative Actions Program, UrbanShift cities across Asia, Africa, and Latin America are strengthening project design, financial planning, and investor engagement to move from concept to capital.
Through several projects, ICLEI supports cities in applying the Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) approach to climate action by providing capacity-building, technical guidance, and multi-stakeholder engagement to help address inequalities and ensure climate planning and policies are inclusive by design.
As more people settle in urban areas, mobility and urban governance become increasingly interconnected. Cities in the Malmö Commitment are integrating mobility into long-term planning for social inclusion, economic vitality and demographic sustainability.
From rural mobility services to neighborhood climate hubs, these cities — on the island of Taiwan and in Germany — show how climate action designed with local organizations can improve daily life, deliver social benefits, and advance climate goals.
Across Africa, food entrepreneurs across the coffee, fisheries, poultry, and dairy sectors are reshaping how food is produced, packaged, reused, and valued.
While climate resilience assessment tools help cities understand their risks, adaptation projects often need a final push to become a viable investment opportunity.
To wrap up 2025, we look back at six stories that resonated most with our readers. From urban biodiversity and nature-based solutions to extreme heat, green finance and global sustainability agendas, these pieces capture a defining year for cities and regions.
Owning a car is a common aspiration for many Filipinos. But they also believe their cities can be more walking- and cycling-friendly in the future. The SPARK project helped turn that vision into action in Quezon City and Pasig City through tactical urbanism interventions that made streets safer and more accessible for active mobility.