BONN, Germany, 10 June 2026 — Cities, states and regions from around the world today highlighted how electrification and renewable energy deployment are already delivering energy security, reducing emissions and strengthening economic resilience, as leaders gathered at the UN Climate Change June Climate Meetings (SB64) in Bonn.
The high-level press conference, convened by the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency, brought together subnational leaders and climate partners to demonstrate how the energy transition is being delivered on the ground ahead of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.
Speakers emphasized that as the global climate process enters an era of implementation, local and regional governments are increasingly responsible for delivering the policies and investments that determine how quickly communities transition away from fossil fuels through electrified transport, buildings, industry and clean energy systems. Achieving energy security and climate goals increasingly depends on empowering the governments closest to communities.
The discussion comes as electrification emerges as a central pillar of the incoming COP31 Presidency’s climate agenda, with growing international attention on its role in strengthening energy security while accelerating emissions reductions.
“Cities around the world are leading the transition but we need our governments and global systems to support us. We cannot simply be seen as implementors, we must also have a say when the plan, priorities and legislation are being made,” said Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh, Mayor of Malmö and President of ICLEI.
“Energy security starts with stable, affordable, and clean energy system. The government of Quebec is demonstrating how electrification can deliver on all three. 99.5% of our electricity comes from renewable sources. Energy transition is no longer a distant ambition its already on the way” said Rachel Lévesque, Government of Québec.
“Our problem today is less about the cost of the energy and more about its distribution, particularly the infrastructure. Today, 30% of our energy is from solar and 56% is from hydropower. Our goal is to maintain the forest and ensure energy is accessible to our communities,” said Diogo Soares de Melo Franco, Deputy Secretary of State, Minas Gerais.
“Los Angeles County is all in on climate action. We’re advancing all COP30 implementation axes despite federal backsliding. The climate crisis is right in our backyard. We are home to the largest urban oil field in the U.S.—our region’s original industry. But today, we’re leading the transition by banning new oil drilling and phasing out existing oil wells. Los Angeles County will continue to lead the way, and we need the world’s partnership to realize a healthy, sustainable future for our planet and communities across the globe,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath.
The case for electrification has never been stronger. During the press conference, the Under2 Coalition launched the Big Switch, a new initiative highlighting the role of state and regional governments in accelerating electrification across transport, industry, buildings and the energy networks that underpin them.
“We congratulate the Under2 Coalition on launching the new Big Switch electrification group and we encourage other subnational governments to join this initiative,” said Rachel Lévesque
Throughout the discussion, speakers stressed that energy security, climate security and economic security are increasingly interconnected. They highlighted how subnational governments are scaling renewable energy, electrified transport, resilient infrastructure and local climate action while creating jobs, attracting investment and strengthening community resilience.
Panelists also underscored the need for stronger collaboration between national and subnational governments, moving beyond stakeholder engagement to recognizing local and regional governments as essential delivery partners in advancing electrification and the broader energy transition.
The press conference reinforced a growing consensus that cities, states and regions are not only implementing climate commitments but helping shape the next phase of global climate action through tangible, real-world results.
Concluding the event, Dan Ioschpe, COP30 High Level Champion said: “We’ve heard this week in Bonn from the incoming COP31 presidency that electrification will be a top priority for the whole calendar year. This is a coordinated effort across national and subnational governments, businesses, and investors. The relevance of subnational governments here is supreme, and we need to foster reliable, competitive and widely available energy, which is key to electrification.”
Notes to editors:
Watch the full press conference here.
About LGMA
Since the first climate COP in 1995, the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency has served as the official voice of local and subnational governments within the UN climate process. Following the adoption of the Paris Agreement, LGMA has continued to advocate for the recognition, engagement and empowerment of local and regional governments as essential actors in delivering global climate goals.
Media Contacts
Matteo Bizzotto
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability / LGMA
matteo.bizzotto@iclei.org
Vanessa Power
Climate Group / Under2 Coalition
vpower@climategroup.org
