The Voice of Cities and Regions in the UNFCCC Climate Process

Every month, you’ll receive updates about how cities and regions are engaging in the global climate agenda and other global sustainability processes, prepared for you by the Global Advocacy and Communications teams at ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.

Our bulletin will be highlighting developments and key topics from the global climate arena to orient local and regional governments on the important issues of multilevel governance and progress in the global climate negotiations through the year, and in the leadup to COP31.

COP30 delivered important political recognition of local and subnational action, and the LGMA welcomed outcomes such as the Action Agenda’s explicit focus on cities and the creation of a Just Transition Mechanism.

However, the final texts fell short of establishing a mandated multilevel governance framework or predictable, territorial finance to empower local implementers.

COP30 in Belém, Brazil started with much anticipation and expectations. The LGMA was on the ground in full force to make sure the voices of local and subnational governments were heard and embedded into the negotiation process and beyond.

Check out or daily recap videos, photos and interventions delivered at COP30 on behalf of the LGMA.

Launched at COP28, CHAMP focuses on enhancing multilevel governance to ensure that climate commitments are not only made at the national level but also effectively implemented through coordinated efforts at all levels.

It aims to drive more ambitious climate action by fostering collaboration between different levels of government, including national, regional, and local authorities, as well as non-state actors such as businesses and civil society.

By hosting annual mini-COPs, local and subnational governments, along with their citizens, can engage in climate action by turning their city halls and other local venues into COP-like platforms.

Piloted in 2023 as “local stocktakes,” Town Hall COPs have since become a way for local and subnational governments to assess their climate progress, share insights, and collaborate with national governments. Importantly, they help integrate local voices into global climate policies, particularly countries’ Paris Agreement plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions.

We need effective multi-level governance to transform cities. To achieve this vision, the COP27 Presidency has launched the SURGe Initiative with the objective to enhance and accelerate local and urban climate action through multi-level governance, engagement, and delivery through five integrated tracks, contributing to achieving the Paris Climate Goals and Sustainable Development Goals.

SURGe is developed in collaboration with UN-Habitat, facilitated by ICLEI, and endorsed by 70+ global partners.