Cities, subnational governments take center stage in climate action

Year after year, climate activists, crusaders, and people, in general, wait for world leaders to make crucial decisions at the United Nations Climate Change Conference to ensure the safe future of Earth. The 28th edition of the Conference of Parties unfolded in Dubai this year. Some people are calling it a success, and others consider it a customary annual conference without making much difference.

As the dust settles on the outcomes of COP28, it is becoming clear what the achievements of this year’s COP were. Amidst growing concern about climatic disasters, the world finds itself at a critical juncture in the fight against climate change. The world seems ready to say goodbye to fossil fuels. Though not immediately, the process has begun. The UAE Consensus includes an unprecedented reference to transitioning away from all fossil fuels in energy systems in a just, orderly, and equitable manner in this critical decade to enable the world to reach net zero emissions by 2050, in keeping with
the science.

Global Stocktake

The first-ever Global Stocktake acknowledges the important role and active engagement of non-Party stakeholders, particularly civil society, business, financial institutions, cities and subnational authorities, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, youth, and research institutions, in supporting Parties and contributing to significant collective progress towards the Paris Agreement temperature goal and in addressing and responding to climate change and enhancing ambition, including progress through other relevant intergovernmental processes.

The Global Stocktake commends the 68 Parties that have communicated long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies and notes that 87 per cent of the global economy in terms of the share of gross domestic product is covered by targets for climate neutrality, carbon neutrality, greenhouse gas neutrality, or net zero emissions, which provides the possibility of achieving a temperature increase below 2 °C when taking into account the full implementation of those strategies.

Amidst many encouraging developments at COP, the importance of a robust global stocktake mechanism cannot be overstated. While cities and subnational governments are taking commendable strides, a coordinated global effort is essential to measure progress, identify gaps, and hold nations accountable for their commitments. The Global Stocktake, as envisaged in the Paris Agreement, serves as a critical tool in this regard. It notes with significant concern that, despite progress, global greenhouse gas emissions trajectories are not yet in line with the temperature goal of the Paris Agreement, and there is a rapidly narrowing window for raising ambition and implementing existing commitments to achieve it. It recognises that limiting global warming to 1.5 °C with no or limited overshoot requires deep, rapid, and sustained reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions of 43 per cent by 2030 and 60 per cent by 2035 relative to the 2019 level and reaching net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.

It recognises that international cooperation is critical for addressing climate change, in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, particularly for those who have significant capacity constraints, and enhancing climate action across all actors of society, sectors, and regions.

AIILSG and Global Collaboration

AIILSG has been focusing on international cooperation for the last many decades. The institute has been actively working with prominent global organisations such as UCLG Global, UCLG ASPAC, CityNet, Metropolis, ICLEI, SALGA, and many other local government associations that support local governments on different continents. The institute has focused on North-South and South-South cooperation for improving urban livability and strengthening local governments in India. The institute has recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with the Federation of Sri Lanka Local Government Association and Municipal Association of Nepal for intensifying climate actions at the local level in these countries with support from Global Covenant of Mayors and its associated partners.

The recent conference not only underscored the importance of local leadership but also highlighted the pressing need for a comprehensive global stocktake mechanism to track progress and ensure accountability in the pursuit of a sustainable future. While international negotiations play a crucial role in setting the stage for global action, it is increasingly evident that the true agents of change lie within our cities and subnational governments and highlighted.

One of the standout themes of COP28 was the rising prominence of cities, particularly in the Global South, in the battle against climate change. Cities in the Global South are on the frontline of climate change impacts, grappling with issues such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and inadequate infrastructure. However, they are also hotbeds of innovation, where local leaders are taking bold steps to address these challenges head-on. From implementing renewable energy projects to developing climate-resilient infrastructure, cities in the Global South are proving that effective climate action starts at the grassroots level.

As rural populations migrate to urban centers in search of economic opportunities, the challenges facing these rapidly expanding cities become ever more pronounced. This shift necessitates a reevaluation of traditional climate strategies to ensure that urban development is both sustainable
and resilient.

These local actors are not waiting for international consensus; they are forging ahead with innovative solutions that address the unique challenges of their regions. As we applaud their efforts, it is equally crucial to establish and strengthen mechanisms like the global stocktake to ensure that these localised actions culminate in a coordinated global response. The future of our planet depends on the collaborative efforts of urban centers and subnational entities in the Global South, working hand in hand to build a sustainable and resilient world for generations to come.

What is Global Stocktake?

In simple terms, it’s a collective five-year performance review of countries and stakeholders. According to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), the global stocktake is a process for countries and stakeholders to see where they’re collectively making progress towards meeting the goals of the Paris Climate Change Agreement and where they’re not. The first-ever global stocktake concluded at the UN Climate Change Conference—Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai. The stocktake will take place every five years. The stocktake can help policymakers and stakeholders strengthen their climate policies and commitments in their next round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), paving the way for accelerated climate action.

Conference of Parties
The Conference of Parties, known as COP, is the decision-making body responsible for monitoring and reviewing the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Who are these Parties
There are 197 nations and territories—called Parties—that have signed on to the Framework Convention.

COP28 ended with hope for a safe future for Earth and a commitment from nations that the use of fossil fuels will gradually decrease worldwide in the years ahead. This year’s COP held particular significance due to the inaugural global stocktake and a designated day for a ministerial meeting on the intersection of urbanisation and climate change. It was the first time that local governments and subnational governments found prominence in the discourse surrounding worldwide efforts against climate change