Blog | Are cities taking the lead on climate change?

Cities and regions have emerged as key actors in advancing climate ambition. Following the first formal introduction of the urban lens at COP 27’s ministerial meeting on urban development, COP 28 brought together 450 mayors and governors, highlighting that cities knowledge and action is crucial to achieve global solutions. COP 28 underscored the critical role that cities and their leaders play in reducing emissions and driving the necessary transformation to tackle climate change. This was accompanied by the recognition that progress on mitigation and adaptation, is not on track towards achieving the global commitments of the Paris Agreement.

The strong momentum gained by cities during the global pandemic demonstrated their capacity to respond fast and effectively when faced with emergencies, while carefully balancing the needs of their citizens. A remarkable example was the Care System in Bogotá, designed in response to the gendered division of care work during the pandemic. At the Mayors Innovation Studio hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies during COP 28, Claudia López, the former Mayor of Bogotá and CUI council member, took centre stage. The event, which brought together more than 150 mayors, examined the Care System as a project where a city administration engaged with and understood the needs of people, which led to the co-design of urban spaces. The conversation focused on how similar strategies can be employed to actively engage the youth on the issue of climate change.

COP 28 also wanted to build momentum and lobby national governments to align with, and reinforce, the ambitions of cities. The objective was to secure financial support to bridge existing climate gaps, acknowledging cities’ significant contributions to global goals and urging countries to set clear urban targets in their new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in 2025. It made progress, with COP 28 securing over $85 billion in commitments, including $500 million specifically earmarked for new urban infrastructure. The impact of these resources on financing urban initiatives is yet to unfold, though it is likely to mark a crucial step in the global fight against climate change.

Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown, co-chair at C40, and CUI council member, spoke out about the catastrophic consequences cities face in this context. A strong advocate for ‘ground-level’ actions, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr emphasised the necessity of directing ‘financial flows’ towards local governments. She called for reform in multilateral development banks and stressed the importance of providing cities with the right financial and policy environment to scale up efforts for a just energy transition. The formal COP agreement included an endorsement of the need for reform in the multilateral financial architecture as an integral aspect of the implementation process.

COP 28 was a significant milestone in acknowledging the vital role of cities in addressing climate change. However, uncertainty persists about recognising cities’ rightful place in the decision-making process and the financial commitments required to expedite the implementation of climate goals. The aspirations placed on cities do not align with their somewhat passive categorisation as ‘non-party stakeholders’ within the formal COP agreement, alongside civil society, businesses and local communities. If cities play such a crucial role in global climate action, shouldn’t they be part of the governing body at COP?

Until this happens, cities will continue to depend on their networks and their inherent capability to champion increased authority in matters directly linked to climate change. Key leaders such as Mayor Lopez and Mayor Aki-Sawyerr will persist in pushing for financial reforms that are essential to achieve the targets set for 2030/2050, while keeping a keen focus on fostering trust and maintaining a balance between developed and emerging economies.

Catalina Duarte, Policy officer and CUI Secretariat member, LSE Cities