The Voice of Cities and Regions in the UNFCCC Climate Process
About the LGMA Constituency
The LGMA has served as the voice of cities and regions in global processes since were designated an official United Nations constituency group at the 1992 UN Earth Summit. We advocated for local governments at the first climate COP in 1995 and continue to achieve advocacy success for multilevel action across the climate, nature, and desertification agendas. Learn about our advocacy channels and get involved!
COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan is here
We are leading the charge for local and subnational governments at COP29 with a full agenda, strategic partnerships, and influential political leaders. Don’t miss a beat:
- Stay updated: Subscribe to our daily mailers for tailored insights for local and subnational leaders.
- Follow the agenda: Explore our roadmap for action and collaboration throughout COP29.
- Endorse our COP29 Position: With over 70 endorsements already, there’s still time to add your support.
- Join us in the Blue Zone: Visit the Multilevel Action & Urbanization Pavilion (Area E, Pavilion I15) from 12–22 November to dive into discussions, connect with peers, and witness climate leadership firsthand.
The Multilevel Action & Urbanization Pavilion
The Multilevel Action & Urbanization Pavilion serves as the global stage for the city and region climate agenda during COP29. The Pavilion will bring into focus not only the challenges and needs, but also the accomplishments and commitments of local and subnational actors on climate action.
Our inclusive platform brings together cities, towns, regions, and representatives from the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency organizations, as well as individuals and groups dedicated to supporting local and subnational actors in playing more substantial roles in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The Pavilion will be open at COP29 in the Blue Zone from 12 – 22 November 2024.
Our daily updates from COP29
Live from COP29
Check out or interviews, daily recap videos, photos and interventions delivered at COP29 on behalf of the LGMA.
Highlighted initiatives
Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) for Climate Action
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.
Town Hall COPs
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.
Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation (SURGe)
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.
Keep up-to-date with the LGMA
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 team at ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.
Through our webinars and bulletin, ICLEI’s Director of Global Advocacy Yunus Arikan, 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 COP29.
Webinars
Bulletin
Milestones on the road toward COP29
In 2024, the global climate agenda is at a critical juncture following the outcomes of COP28, which have been described as the “beginning of the end” of the fossil fuel era. The stocktake at COP28 recognized the urgent need to cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030, compared to 2019 levels, to address the escalating climate crisis. It also “urged Parties and non-Party stakeholders to join efforts to accelerate delivery through inclusive, multilevel, gender-responsive and cooperative action” (paragraph 161).
2024 is set to be a ‘super year’ for sustainability as a whole, not just climate, with the coalescence of six major UN events: the three Rio Conventions (Biodiversity COP16, Climate COP29, and Desertification COP16), as well as the 6th UN Environment Assembly, the 12th World Urban Forum, and the UN Summit of the Future. Additionally, while 2023 was the warmest year on record, 2024 may see the 1.5-degree Celsius global warming threshold being temporarily exceeded. Against this backdrop, local and regional government representatives play a crucial role in advocating for and driving forward the global sustainability agenda, as they engage in a series of significant events throughout the year.