Climate action in cities: learnings to take into 2024

Brazil, too, presents an interesting case. Despite historical challenges in national leadership on climate issues, the recent A-list includes more Brazilian cities, signalling a positive trend toward increased disclosure and transparency at the local level.

The relationship between local and national governments can be complex. While strong national support can provide enabling conditions for cities, local leaders often find themselves at the forefront of protecting people and infrastructure. The urgency of local impacts necessitates immediate action, irrespective of the national context.

That said, to truly scale the successful solutions observed in cities globally, collaboration with national governments is required. Cities can offer substantial benefits, beyond making demands, by actively contributing to the implementation of net-zero policies. One such area is activating local leadership to garner support for climate policies, as seen in citizen assemblies and efforts to engage communities in the decision-making process.

SCW: What does the latest A-list demonstrate in terms of urban climate action solutions that could be adopted by other cities?

MK: It’s not about pitting one city against another because, in essence, climate change is a global challenge, but the solutions are inherently local. Cities can still learn valuable lessons from each other despite that. Each city faces specific challenges, but there’s a wealth of knowledge to be gained by sharing successes and innovative approaches.

Take what London is doing with retrofitting, for example. This has been a topic of debate in the UK, but it demonstrates that with the right mechanisms in place, it’s a feasible solution that effectively reduces emissions. Then there are other cities focusing on decarbonising their taxi fleets, and many – particularly in the Global South – are devising tailored solution to their transportation challenges.

While these seem like individual actions, the collective impact is significant. When you look at them together, they offer comprehensive solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in cities – addressing emissions from energy use, buildings, transportation, and waste, while simultaneously building resilience.

Cities are realising the importance of integrating climate initiatives with broader benefits for their residents and the city

We’re seeing an increasing emphasis on solutions that cover both mitigation and adaptation aspects. This is particularly important for cities in the Global South, which often bear the brunt of climate change impacts. It’s not just about tackling one side of the problem but adopting strategies that holistically address both.

These climate actions aren’t standalone measures. Cities are realising the importance of integrating climate initiatives with broader benefits for their residents and the city itself. Whether it’s generating clean energy, decarbonising transport, or engaging citizens in green initiatives, the common thread is the recognition that climate change actions can yield additional benefits, be it in building resilience or enhancing the wellbeing of citizens.

SCW: Are there specific sectors in specific regions where you’ve seen notable progress?

MK: When we look at progress in different regions, it’s evident that the solutions are nuanced and tailored to the specific challenges and priorities of each area. In Latin America, for instance, the predominant source of emissions is the transport sector. Therefore, the notable progress we’re observing in that region revolves around initiatives aimed at decarbonising transportation.

This involves not only reducing emissions but also addressing broader issues of accessibility and inclusivity within transport systems. It’s not just about making vehicles more sustainable but also ensuring that public transport is safe and inviting, overcoming barriers that might hinder people from actively engaging in emission-reducing practices.

On the other hand, when we shift our focus to places like the UK or North America, the primary emissions culprit tends to be buildings. The progress we see in these regions often centres around decarbonising the energy sector. This could involve implementing energy efficiency measures or transitioning to cleaner sources of electricity – effectively targeting the core of emissions in these specific areas.

However, the common thread across all regions is the importance of engaging the community. As we strive to accelerate climate action globally, it’s not just about speed but also about doing it right. Ensuring the success of these initiatives involves understanding the unintended consequences on people and comprehending how policies impact individuals.

It’s about creating solutions that resonate with the local population, acknowledging their concerns and ensuring that the transition to a more sustainable future is not only swift but also socially and economically beneficial. This approach is key to fostering widespread support and achieving lasting success in the fight against climate change.

SCW: You were at Cop28 – based on the insight you’ve been able to draw from the most recent A-list, did your time at Cop reinforce your opinions on the positive direction of travel for cities’ climate action?

MK: The first week at Cop28 was very positive, particularly for city states and regions. One significant development that stood out for me is the CHAMP initiative (Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships).

More than 70 different parties have pledged to the initiative, which demonstrates a remarkable commitment from national governments to collaborate with subnational governments in updating their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It’s an exciting step forward, especially for those of us who have been advocating for this kind of collaboration for a long time. The numbers have been steadily increasing since the announcement, signalling a genuine willingness on the part of national governments to work closely with subnational entities.

In addition to endorsing national commitments, we must continue to invest in and complement the efforts of local and regional leaders

This collaboration ties into other areas that have caught our attention, particularly in the realm of finance. During Cop28, we launched our Global Infrastructure Report, based on data from over 600 cities. The report highlights projects seeking finance, indicating a growing demand for funding for climate projects in cities.

A key finding from our report is that cities still heavily rely on public sector sources of finance. This represents an opportunity to explore ways to bring in more private sector funding into cities. National governments, especially those committed to CHAMP, can potentially play a role in reforming multilateral banks or creating mechanisms to facilitate private sector investment in cities.

The importance of data and information in underpinning these initiatives was another important takeaway from Cop28. The multitude of announcements and collaborations highlighted the need for consistent, transparent information. From CDP’s perspective, our annual disclosure platforms for cities. states and regions, companies, and investors contribute to providing the necessary data. 

This data informs collaborations, capital allocation, and multi-level governance involving national governments, cities, states, and regions. Strengthening policymaking based on data, ensuring consistent reflection of non-party stakeholders in NDCs, and enhancing accountability and integrity are all opportunities that arise from this emphasis on data.

From our perspective, the data that is now available serves as a foundation for making specific decisions and recommendations. It provides visibility into the pipeline of projects, helping us understand what is needed. The growing demand for this kind of information underscores the urgency of finding solutions and ensuring that finance flows to where it’s most impactful. It’s not just about identifying the problem; it’s about taking tangible steps towards resolution.

SCW: How much is it incumbent now on private finance, as opposed to government, to support the drive to net zero?

MK: It’s an effort that has to involve both national governments and the private sector. On the government side, there are various measures that can be taken to facilitate the flow of funds into cities, including the development of models to encourage private sector investment. It’s about creating an environment where private finance is incentivised to support sustainable projects.

The experience has shown that sub-national leaders can set ambitious targets, advance policies, and implement changes on the ground

Now, looking at the private sector’s role, it’s not just about expecting them to change their practices. Instead, there’s a significant need for them to understand cities as stakeholders. Learning more about the unique challenges and opportunities cities present is crucial. The emphasis should be on supporting cities in tapping into private sector funding rather than solely relying on the private sector to adapt to different conditions in cities.

We need funds to flow to both the Global North and the Global South, supporting both mitigation and adaptation efforts. There’s a role for both sectors to play, and the approach may differ based on what is most effective in a given scenario.

SCW: What about the need to build up climate leadership both at national and sub-national level in different regions around the world?

MK: Building climate leadership both at the national and sub-national levels is obviously critical for advancing effective climate action globally. The last six or seven years have made it evident that strong leadership on the national level is not always guaranteed. There have been instances where sub-national entities stepped up during periods of weak national leadership. This local leadership has proved to be highly effective in driving climate initiatives during times when strong regulations were lacking.

While it’s encouraging to see the commitment to CHAMP, it’s essential not to solely rely on this level of governance. Investing in local and regional leadership remains imperative. The experience has shown that sub-national leaders can set ambitious targets, advance policies, and implement changes on the ground, even in the absence of strong national directives.

In addition to endorsing national commitments, we must continue to invest in and complement the efforts of local and regional leaders. It’s about diversifying our approach and recognising that climate action is a multi-level effort. Over the past decade, we’ve been actively supporting partners in the city ecosystem, such as C40. During this time, we’ve seen that many commitments and climate action plans have endured changes in leadership due to elections, which suggests that climate action can persist effectively, even as leadership transitions at the sub-national level.

It’s about creating a robust and interconnected network of leaders at various levels, ensuring the sustainability and continuity of climate initiatives for the long term.