Thematic negotiations
LGMA Position Towards COP28
The LGMA’s joint position towards COP28 calls on Parties of the UNFCCC to take ten key actions, including formalizing subnational voices in the UNFCCC COP agenda, applying vertical integration, and addressing the links between climate change and nature and biodiversity loss.
The document is in two parts: 1) top line messages designed for local, regional and subnational governments in the LGMA constituency, empowering them to advocate collectively in the lead-up to and during COP28; and 2) key messages in “UN language,” suitable for direct inclusion in the COP28 decision documents.
The LGMA Constituency represents the leadership of local, regional and subnational governments in accelerating and scaling up climate mitigation, adaptation, and justice. In this role, we bring the voice of cities and regions into UNFCCC negotiations, the COP Presidency program, and other international processes.
Highlights from the LGMA’s advocacy agenda are presented below, across our core thematic areas:
Multilevel Action
We welcome coordination and collaboration between local, regional and national governments in the mission to slow and adapt to climate change. Parties to the UNFCCC should facilitate full and meaningful participation of cities and regions in national climate mitigation, adaptation and justice planning and support implementation in cities and regions through resource mobilization and capacity building.
COP28 Preparations
- LGMA Position Towards COP28 Negotiations (also available in French)
- Mentions of Multilevel Action and Urbanization Towards COP28
- CEMR/Platforma Position Towards COP28
- Open Letter to COP28 Leadership calling for Multilevel Cooperation and Financing
COP28
- LGMA Statement on COP28 Outcomes
- LGMA Response to CHAMP (1 December 2023)
- SDSN Global Commission for Urban SDG Finance statement on the Subnational Governments’ role on the negotiation of the Loss and Damage Fund Operational Guidelines
- COP28 LGMA High Level Statement (9 December 2023)
- Outcome Statement on Local Climate Action Summit and Urban Ministerial
Global Stocktake Engagement
- Stocktake4ClimateEmergency Outcomes Report
- Joint LGMA Submission to the Global Stocktake: Elements of Consideration for Outputs (20 September 2023)
- LGMA Statements at the 1st Global Stocktake, 3rd Technical Dialogue (June 2023)
- Poster: Taking stock of urbanization and multilevel action in the climate emergency response (Also available in French and Arabic)
Mitigation
Local, regional and subnational governments are reducing greenhouse gas emissions often at a pace faster than their national governments. Parties to the UNFCCC should facilitate full and meaningful participation of cities and regions in the process of updating, raising ambition of, and implementing NDCs and long-term strategies.
Resilience and Adaptation
We acknowledge the role of local, regional and subnational governments within the Global Goal on Adaptation Framework, established at COP26 in Glasgow and intended for adoption by COP28 in Dubai. Parties should facilitate financial and technical support of locally-led and contextually-relevant adaptation strategy implementation, while local governments should integrate Urban Resilience Assessments and Action Plans into existing planning strategies.
Means of Implementation: Finance, Capacity Building, Innovation and Awareness
The Parties of the UNFCCC should establish and reform financial mechanisms to enhance the availability and access of climate finance opportunities for local and regional governments. Financial mechanisms may include urban finance programmes, financial institutions, and national fiscal and regulatory reform, along with the capacity-building cities need to access them.
Loss and Damage
We advocate for local and regional governments impacted by losses and damages resulting from climate impacts, particularly those in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). These governments should have decision-making authority in the Loss and Damage Fund and financial support mechanisms to recover and rebuild to advance towards resilient livelihoods, infrastructure and nature.
