“Why should my Mayor attend global sustainability events?”

“Why should my Mayor attend global sustainability events?”

ByMadison Hodges

In recent years, more and more local and regional government leaders are traveling to international environmental conferences, like the annual Climate COPs or the ICLEI World Congress. These meetings provide the opportunity to discuss solutions to global and local challenges. But at the same time, the concrete value of elected leaders’ engagement can at times be difficult to grasp. What is the value for such in-person meetings? How does the community back home benefit?

ICLEI World Congress 2024: THE global gathering for sustainable urban development

ICLEI World Congress 2024: THE global gathering for sustainable urban development

ByMatteo Bizzotto

The ICLEI World Congress 2024 in São Paulo gathered over 1,500 attendees, including more than 100 mayors, to advance sustainable urban development on a global scale. Highlighting major initiatives like the ICLEI São Paulo Strategic Vision 2024-2030 and the Urban Infrastructure Insurance Facility, the Congress set the stage for impactful actions shaping our future.

Cities can bring CHAMP to life

Cities can bring CHAMP to life

ByBarbara Riedemann

During the ICLEI World Congress 2024 closing plenary on 21 June, Katja Dörner, Mayor of Bonn, Germany, and chair of the Climate Action Governance Portfolio for the ICLEI Global Executive Committee, called on urban leaders to proactively engage with their national governments and local government associations to enhance NDCs by 2025 and support CHAMP. National associations of local governments – under the leadership of ICLEI governance Members – in Germany, Brazil, and the U.S. have pledged to CHAMP, pioneering a global movement to push for stronger local involvement in national climate plans.

Amazonian cities, unique and irreplaceable: Making the urban amazon visible

Amazonian cities, unique and irreplaceable: Making the urban amazon visible

ByBarbara Riedemann

Amazonian cities are diverse in opportunities and needs. The region’s biodiversity is amongst the world’s most important but its cities’ sustainability challenges are less well-known. These jurisdictions require financial support and capacity building to create sustainable, conservation-oriented, equitable, nature-based spaces with circular development. At the ICLEI World Congress, mayors from this region convened to amplify the voices of these unique cities.

Navigating our changing world: Insights on local urban climate action

Navigating our changing world: Insights on local urban climate action

ByBarbara Riedemann

In a world increasingly shaped by the climate emergency, cities are stepping into the forefront of resilience and sustainability efforts. During the ICLEI World Congress’ plenary “Our Changing World,” ICLEI Members and experts discussed how cities can leverage local initiatives to drive global impact, emphasizing the urgency of integrated approaches to mitigate environmental risks and build climate-resilient communities worldwide.

Latin America leading: From ICLEI World Congress 2024 to COP30

Latin America leading: From ICLEI World Congress 2024 to COP30

ByMatteo Bizzotto

Amidst the urgency of global climate action, São Paulo, Brazil, stands out for its dedication to sustainability and for being the host of the ICLEI World Congress in June 2024, to advance environmental goals and foster international cooperation. The city’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is evident through initiatives like expanding bus lanes, transitioning to a greener bus fleet, promoting urban agriculture, and enhancing green spaces to improve air quality, food security, and urban biodiversity.