On 15 November, the COP27 Presidency released a first draft of possible elements in the COP27 cover decision. The LGMA Constituency will propose the suggestions below to be included in future iterations of this document:
Integrate urbanization as well as multilevel and cooperative action, as an essential element of implementation and ambition of the Paris Agreement
Welcome the SURGe Initiative and first-ever COP27 Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change, and encourage future COP Presidencies to continue this practice
Invite the UNFCCC Secretariat to label “urbanization” as a standing agenda item under UNFCCC topics
The negotiations on Art6.8 is advancing slowly. The Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility is currently listed in para.19 as one of the new non-market approaches, which can pave the way for the inclusion of sustainable urbanization as a non-market approach in future as well. The text also foresees the promotion of successful non-market approaches at the local and subnational levels.
Read the IISD/ENB coverage of 15 November's negotiations.
From the LGMA Pavilion
SLOCAT Transport Day at COP27
One of the primary objectives of SLOCAT is to ensure that the voices of the Global South are heard.
It is necessary to enhance coordination among the different levels of the government – national, subnational and regional. SLOCAT also calls for action to address climate change through actions that enable walking, cycling and public transport. Today, the planet reaches 8 billion people, so the decisions made with transport in the past are not sustainable for the people or the planet.
The panel discussion also shed light on the lack of importance given to active mobility, despite it being widely discussed as a way to tackle climate change.
Maruxa Cardama, Secretary General of SLOCAT Partnership, recapped the session by highlighting that silos were to be avoided and all initiatives must be in some way interconnected with one another. She mentioned that an important factor is also beginning the process of continuity in the horizon of 2030 which must be linked with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Learn the benefits of switching to e-buses and become a sustainable mobility leader by joining the TUMI E-Bus Mission City Network.
Africa’s Oceans and Blue Resources can Mitigate Climate Change Effects
About 30 million Africans live within the flood hazard zone: Cities and regions have an important role to play in the blue economy and preserving marine ecosystems, conserving the ocean and how we protect our coastal infrastructure. If Africa is going to thrive, it needs to take urgent ocean and climate action.
Global Covenant of Mayors (GCOM) Launches Multilevel Action Playbook 2.0
Bringing stories for what on-the-ground collaboration across levels of government looks like, local leaders from Togo, Australia and Denmark helped release Part 2 of this guidebook on turning ambition into action. The playbook offers four key areas for multilevel acceleration: Policy levers, enablers & processes, trailblazers, recommendations for each level of government.
From the LGMA Partners
National Adaptation Strategy: Recommendations from FCM
FCM’s recommendations to Canada's National Adaptation Strategy represent a bold vision on how the federal and municipal governments can lead efforts: Through strong partnerships, smart investments, and an equity centered approach to collaboration and reconciliation.
UrbanShift Launches Annual Report UrbanShift's inaugural annual report serves as an inspiring portfolio of the program's first year in action as well as a handbook for our strategy to achieve sustainable, low-carbon growth in more than 23 cities across three continents.
Energy Access and Poverty Pillar of the Common Reporting Framework The Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM) has launched the Energy Access and Poverty Pillar of the Common Reporting Framework: A set of indicators, guidelines, and timelines built to help its 12,500+ signatories take action towards a just energy transition.
Explaining climate change jargon and what they mean for Chennai and its citizens As countries at COP27 discuss how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, or find mechanisms for Loss and Damage reparations, or create new institutions for ‘Climate Finance’, it is essential to relate these discussions to what happens in Chennai and how it impacts residents.
Tweets of the day
Today’s Highlights
Building from the Summary of IPCC AR6 Summary for Urban Policymakers From Science to Action
This session explores how local governments and business are translating scientific evidence into informed policy-making and local climate action. It also launches the final product of the 2022 SUP process: an Action Agenda developed by SUP partners to capture city and business contributions to the process and chart a path forward for future collaboration.
We Can Do It! Local Action on Climate
Join this all-female panel of Mayors to hear their local climate initiatives and solutions, including challenges and opportunities in implementation. Join in the Blue Zone (COP27 Climate Hub) or watch online here.
Building urban resilience in Africa: Harnessing nature-based solutions
This session will unpack how an African country, working with partners and friends, has charted its own course for climate resilient development that prioritises the urban poor. We will also hear from other leaders implementing cutting edge and context specific resilience solutions.
The Role of Cities in Realizing a Sustainable Society
Focusing on the Urban 7 activities, national and local leaders explore how to identify the key expectations towards the Egyptian Presidency program of the COP and see the prospects of urban agenda under the Japanese G7 presidency in 2023.
Building African Urban Resilience During a Climate Emergency
African cities (of all sizes) are experiencing unprecedented climate change impacts now. Unlocking finance, tackling food and water insecurity, and protecting nature and our oceans, are central to building resilience in some of the world’s most vulnerable locales. Join in the Blue Zone (Room Hatshepsut) or watch online here.
First-ever Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change
The LGMA Multilevel Action Pavilion, the home for local and regional governments in the UNFCCC COP27 Blue Zone, is hosting over 70 sessions of rich programming and meaningful dialogues showcasing that #MultilevelActionDelivers with support from over 40 organizations.
