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?
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.
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.
Serious gaming to create a real impact on the energy transition
By leveraging simulation, play, and interactivity to generate learning outcomes, serious games have been used in various sectors, including healthcare, military, and policymaking.
How subnational governments scale up and replicate successful PPP models for a clean energy transition
As grants become scarcer, subnational governments can use Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to overcome funding gaps and drive sustainable, inclusive infrastructure.
The Kaohsiung–ICLEI Community of Practice: When bold cities collaborate
The Kaohsiung–ICLEI Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Community of Practice delivered its first in-person capacity-building workshop series, providing strategic tools to advance urban transformation through circular development and agenda-serving innovation.
How Gyeonggi-do is tackling the Republic of Korea’s persistent sustainable energy challenge
Amidst slow national progress in the sustainable energy transition with RE sources, Gyeonggi-do stands out as a proactive subnational leader.
Green today, thriving tomorrow: Seoul’s eco-urban blueprint
The Seoul Metropolitan Government, Republic of Korea, has implemented a comprehensive set of ambitious initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a particular focus on transportation and building efficiency.
On the road to COP30: Reflecting on how multilevel action can strengthen national climate plans
Looking ahead to COP30, what cities and regions do in advance of this global climate summit may matter more than the conference itself. On the road to Belém, local and regional governments have a unique opportunity to engage with their national governments, shift the trajectory of the climate emergency, and push for inclusive, multilevel climate action.
Air quality Circular Development East Asia Procurement Resource access Resource security Zero emission Development
What does an ecological civilization look like? China’s Guiyang City is showing the way
With lush forests, clean air, and a fast-growing green economy, Guiyang is proving that cities can thrive without costing the Earth. On 5–6 July, urban leaders will gather here for the Eco Forum Global Annual Conference to promote harmony between humans and nature, a journey that Guiyang has proudly led for years