COP28 is rapidly approaching, and the LGMA is building momentum. Over 25 cities across 6 continents are localizing the Global Stocktake through #Stocktake4ClimateEmergency, and while these events connect subnational climate plans to NDCs, national governments are simultaneously preparing to advocate for multilevel action at COP28. The Council of European Union's COP28 negotiation position, released this month, includes strong language advocating for local and regional involvement in climate implementation, complementing previous recognitions in the outcome documents of the G7, African Climate Summit, Amazon Summit and UNCAS 2023 Chairs Summary. These national commitments to multilevel action emphasize the importance of local stocktakes, which provide a dialogue mechanism for local-to-national coordination.
We again share a preliminary mapping of the ecosystem of subnational advocacy to ensure appropriate synergies in the weeks toward COP28.
1-2 December | Dubai, UAE
The COP28 Local Climate Action Summit, led by COP28 President-designate Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber and UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions Michael R. Bloomberg, and in consultation with the LGMA, will bring hundreds of subnational leaders into the COP program and process. Watch the October LGMA webinar to hear from Megan Ross (Bloomberg Philanthropies) on LCAS.
Ahead of Pre-COP28, the COP28 President Designate H.E. Sultan Al Jabeer issued a 2nd letter to UNFCCC Parties and Constituencies that summarized progress on negotiations and priorities for COP28. The last paragraph on page 10 of this letter calls on leaders to endorse the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP), marking the most comprehensive commitment and support from a COP Presidency in support of the vision of the LGMA Constituency.
The UNFCCC posted a synthesis report on 4 October reflecting Party and non-Party submissions on elements for the consideration of the outputs component of the GST. We are pleased to share that at least 5 paragraphs recognize the role of subnationals, per the suggestion of the LGMA submission.
The first-of-its-kind Advisory Group will provide strategic advice on the role of cities and regions in crisis recovery, gender equality, general international agreements and more, providing opportunity to connect the SDGs to climate. We're happy to share that Utrecht Mayor Sharon Dijksma, LGMA Special Envoy for COP27 Ministerials, is one of 15 local and regional government representatives sitting on the Advisory Group. Congratulations to Mayor Dijksma!
LGMA Updates
Cities Around the World Localize the Global Stocktake
Under the banner of #Stocktake4ClimateEmergency, nearly 30 cities in 17 countries are hosting local stocktakes as official input into the first Global Stocktake, with 4 events led by YOUNGO members. The LGMA will share a synthesis of stocktake outcomes at COP28. Hosting a stocktake? Let us know through the event registration form.
The LGMA's COP28 position document is final and open for endorsement until 15 November. The statement calls on the Parties to the Paris Agreement to act on ten key requests, including formalizing subnational voices in the UNFCCC COP agenda, applying vertical integration, addressing the links between climate change and nature and biodiversity loss.
Nehmat Kaur (The Climate Group) represented the LGMA at the GST Consideration of Outputs Workshop in Abu Dhabi on October 12-14. The LGMA delivered interventions for Session 4A Mitigation and Session 5. "Enhancing international cooperation for action, guidance and way forward." Photo Credit: UNFCCC
Yunus Arikan (ICLEI; LGMA Focal Point) and Urszula Kasperek (Under2 Coalition) represented the LGMA at Pre-COP in Abu Dhabi on 30-31 October. Read the LGMA and Climate Action Network's joint statement, delivered on 31 October.
On 17 October, the Council of European Union released conclusions that will serve as the EU's general negotiation position at COP28. For the first time, the EU will formally advocate for an increased involvement of local and regional governments in the implementation of international climate agreements, recognising their leadership in accelerating and broadening climate action.
Throughout 2023, hundreds of city and subnational representatives and partner organizations came together at ICLEI's Daring Cities 2023 to exchange on best practices, innovative solutions and creative approaches to a just and equitable transformation in the face of the climate emergency. Key findings are now available.
On 8-12 October, ICLEI and other LGMA representatives at Middle East and North Africa Climate Week advocated for national governments to include local government in their national climate plans and resource mobilization. Photo credit: IISD/ENB - Kiara Worth
The G7 Roundtable discussion on Subnational Climate Action convened on 5-6 October with the support of Urban7, IGES and ICLEI Japan. Photo Credit: Urban7
The LGMA will continue its involvement in the UNFCCC Regional Climate Weeks through “Track 2: Cities, Urban and Rural Settlements, Infrastructure and Transport.”
The LGMA’s advocacy calendar culminates in November/December with COP28 in Dubai. Still, it is marked by key moments all year long, across three agendas: United Nations and UNFCCC events hosted globally or by nations, and those hosted by our own constituency organizations. Stay informed with our monthly webinars! Register here.
