Climate Savers Unite Forces: 14,000 Local Leaders Demand Immediate Action!

Climate Savers Unite Forces: 14,000 Local Leaders Demand Immediate Action!

More than 14,000 local leaders gathered at COP30 in Belém today to reiterate their support for national governments. This initiative brings together cities, regions and states that all pursue a common goal: climate protection. These local leaders demonstrate the importance of concrete, local solutions to address global climate impacts that threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions.

The COP process is increasingly being shaped by subnational governments organizing their own local COPs to engage communities. This is reflected in the ambitious climate action planned for the next 12 months and beyond. In doing so, local leaders offer three concrete suggestions to national governments:

• Unterstützung bei der Erreichung nationaler Klimaziele durch aktive Partnerschaft und Förderung eines gerechten Übergangs.
• Bereitstellung von über 2.500 umsetzbaren lokalen Projekten zur Lokalisierung von Klimafinanzierung.
• Förderung von mehrstufiger Zusammenarbeit zur Umsetzung und Verantwortlichkeit im COP-Prozess.

“The need for increased cooperation with national governments is more urgent than ever,” local leaders emphasize. The 77 CHAMP nations in particular recognize the important role that subnational governments can play in closing the emissions reduction gap. To achieve this, they call for mobilizing $1.3 trillion annually for climate finance. This is no small challenge, but the commitment and determination of the leaders gives hope.

Energy for the NAP process

Another important aspect of climate protection is the NAP process, which was launched as part of the Cancun Adaptation Framework. This process aims to support developing countries and the least developed countries in particular. These countries often face major challenges when it comes to integrating their adaptation needs into planning processes. Integration is the key word here and occurs across sectors and at all political levels.

The Paris Climate Agreement calls on all contracting states to actively engage in adaptation planning. The NAP process has therefore become more important and has a direct impact on national climate contributions (NDCs). It involves the creation of institutions that enable risk identification and priority setting and is a dynamic process intended to strengthen skills and promote innovation potential. However, many countries, particularly LDCs, lack the necessary skills to ensure a comprehensive process.

The role of financing

With all of these ambitious plans and strategies comes a key challenge: the high need for financing to implement the adaptation measures prioritized in the NAP process. The IKI portfolio aims to strengthen the planning, implementation and monitoring of the NAP process and shows the economic benefits of adjustments. The involvement of the private sector is also very important in order to develop a viable financing strategy.

Overall, it is clear that efforts to combat climate change are not just taking place at a global level. The local dimension is becoming increasingly important, and many voices are calling for national governments to rely even more on local expertise and innovations. Only through close cooperation can we achieve the ambitious climate goals.

For more information about the COP process and the role of local leaders in times of climate change, you can read the reports from C40 as well as from International climate initiative consult.