"Cities are often far more ambitious in climate action than their national governments. They involve their citizens, industry and other institutions to make the change happen at the local level. But they struggle to access mitigation and adaptation finance at the scale needed to address the challenge. They should have direct access to finance to
accelerate the transition."
Recap of 2 December 2023
The LGMA had an intervention to Heads of State, given by Baraniko Baaro, Mayor of Teinainano Urban Council, Kiribati.
The second edition of the Integrity Matters for Cities, States and Regions report was launched, with guidance on how to make transparent and credible net zero commitments. We also got a new report on reforming multilateral development banks to fund urban climate projects, with excellent coverage by Reuters.
There's a new guidance document out for those in negotiations rooms, which summarizes all our progress on multilevel advocacy throughout the year.
And we follow up on the G7/U7 learnings, connecting to another multilateral agenda.
Above quote: Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh, Mayor of Malmö, Sweden, in dialogue with UNFCCC Executive Secretary and COP27 High Level Champion Mahmod Mohieldin.
Preview of our coverage tomorrow: Loss and damage has dominated the headlines for COP so far. This is an important space for cities and regions and we'll be covering the announcements so far.
Our stories from COP28
LGMA Intervention at the GST High-Level Event on Mitigation by Baraniko Baaro, Mayor of Teinainano Urban Council, Kiribati
Mr. Baaro spoke on behalf of the Constituency, especially in local and regional governments in the Asia-Pacific, Small Island States and Least Developed Countries, who bear the brunt of climate change.
Just launched: "Integrity Matters for Cities, States & Regions"
The report provides practical recommendations for local governments to uphold the credibility, accountability, and transparency of their net-zero commitments, considering their unique capacities and characteristics. Created by a group of experts from the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy and WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, with many consulting partners, the report follows up on the previous "Integrity Matters: Net Zero Commitments by Businesses, Financial Institutions, Cities, and Regions," released at COP27.
Report launch: Reforming multilateral development banks
Between 2014 and 2022, only 21% of funding from multilateral development banks to low- and middle-income countries was allocated for urban climate projects, leaving cities with just 1% of the global climate finance annually. This new report by C40 Cities, Global Covenant of Mayors, and Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance emphasizes the crucial need to reform multilateral development banks and prioritize urban climate finance.
Overview of references in the party submissions on Global Stocktake outputs and outcomes of select intergovernmental processes in 2023
For those participating in negotiations or interventions at COP28, this primer on the advocacy achievements on multilevel governance and cooperation throughout the year can help guide your advocacy work.
Cities are receiving only a fraction of the climate finance they need, especially in low-income countries, according to a study published on Saturday on the sidelines of the COP28 climate talks. >> Read more
From ENewsPolar
At COP28, cities will show us the way
Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, writes that cities like Freetown, which is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change (from extreme heat to floods and landslides), are determined to push world leaders to raise their ambitions – and to empower cities to do more to lead the way. >> Read more
From Under2 Coalition
Under2 Coalition regional governments share the spotlight at COP28 Local Climate Action Summit
Under2 Coalition governments from all regions were represented and able to use the opportunity to highlight their particular climate concerns as well as to share their stories of success. >> Read more
From the World Resources Institute
Examples of multi-level partnerships
The Multi-Level Governance Atlas, produced by WRI in partnership with the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, showcases over 100 examples of multi-level governance at work. >> Read more
From the New Statesmen
Time for a new approach on climate
London Mayor Sadiq Khan writes that as COP28 commences and national governments falter, we need to recognize the central role of cities in the fight against climate change. >> Read more
From ICLEI - CityTalk
Working together to usher in just and sustainable energy transitions for people and planet
Multilevel governance is an essential tool to address inequity and foster an energy transition that is sustainable and just. Yesterday, local leaders from around the world came together at COP28 to share the actions they are taking to ensure such a transition takes place.>> Read more
