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Local actions driving global change
WHAT’S TRENDING
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From commitment to delivery: How Daring Cities 2026 is driving multilevel climate action
Now in its seventh edition, Daring Cities 2026 provides a strategic platform connecting local leadership with national and global climate processes to turn commitments into action.
Driving global climate and sustainability agendas
Real progress on the global climate emergency depends on coordinated, inclusive, and multilevel action, with cities and regions leading as vital agents of change.
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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…
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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…
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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,…
Building equitable cities
As the World Urban Forum convenes in Baku, Azerbaijan, (17–22 May) under the theme Housing the World, global attention turns to sustainable urbanization. Explore how housing and equity intersect in cities, and how local action is connecting energy access, affordability, and resilience into integrated urban solutions.
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Beyond shelter: Why housing is Africa’s biggest urban equity challenge
Across Africa, rapid urbanization, affordability gaps, and climate risks are pushing low-income households into informal settlements. Explore how housing inequities…
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From energy shocks to energy resilience: What cities are teaching us about local energy access, security, and poverty
Energy shocks are exposing the limits of fossil fuel systems, but cities are showing the way forward. New research highlights…
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Who gets a say: How cities are engaging those often left out
Participation is critical for urban planning but often uneven. To foster inclusive engagement, cities within the Malmö Commitment are experimenting…
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Before the next crisis hits: Why women’s leadership matters in climate risk management
The impacts of climate hazards are not gender-neutral; women are often among those most affected. As cities make critical decisions…
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Developing equity indicators: Five considerations to address local inequities
Identifying equity challenges creates better opportunities to build communities where benefits and burdens are fairly shared. Indicators that reflect geographic,…
Biodiversity at the heart of resilient cities
Under the theme “Acting locally for global impact,” International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May reminds us that from restoring ecosystems to improving public health, urban biodiversity is fundamental to creating healthier, happier, and more resilient communities.
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Local action to drive sustainable tourism for the communities and nature
How can we ensure tourism not only thrives but also helps protect our planet?
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Urban resilience begins here: How women in Izmir are growing more than food
As Türkiye braces for another summer of heatwaves and unpredictable storms, spaces like the Kadifekale community garden offer a green…
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10 reasons to promote urban biodiversity
Urban growth is shrinking natural habitats, but cities also hold the key to reversing biodiversity loss. As epicenters of change,…
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Measuring urban biodiversity progress and impact: From global frameworks to local tools
With platforms like CitiesWithNature, the Berlin Urban Nature Pact, and metrics like the 3-30-300 rule, local and subnational governments are…
Unlocking green finance for cities
Cities around the world are setting bold climate targets, yet many still struggle to access the capital needed to deliver them. Stronger governance, clear project pipelines, and institutional capacity are key to turning climate ambition into investable opportunities and unlocking green finance at scale.
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Malmö’s blueprint for green finance and what other cities can learn
Malmö competes for capital alongside covered bond issuers, national governments, and corporate. How can a city be so successful?
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Making your city investable: A practical guide to green finance
Many local governments still struggle to access affordable, long-term capital at scale. Green finance can help – when it is…
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What the Nordic model can teach cities about accessing affordable climate finance
Municipalities pool their borrowing needs, present a combined credit profile to capital markets, issue bonds collectively, and lend the proceeds…
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More than a good idea: The hidden work behind investment-ready projects
Through ICLEI’s Transformative Actions Program, UrbanShift cities across Asia, Africa, and Latin America are strengthening project design, financial planning, and…