UN raising ambition and delivery on the ground: multilevel climate action for local resilience

Date:: Tuesday 5 December 2023

Time: 15:00-16:30 GST

Location: SE Room 8, Blue Zone, Expo City, Dubai, UAE

Organizers: Convened by UN Habitat, in collaboration with UNEP, UNCDF, UNU-EHS, UNDRR, and UNDP

Description:

Climate change and urban growth are intertwined megatrends. Building sustainable and resilient urban and local systems must set trajectories to net-zero development and enhance adaptive capacity while putting the needs of the most marginalized and vulnerable communities at the forefront. The session discusses approaches to achieve multilevel climate action, implement innovative solutions and unlock climate finance for local sustainable development.  It is framed around three questions:

• How can we connect local, national and global levels to accelerate local climate action? How can organizations work together across sectors and scales to empower local governments and communities, involving national governments and connecting global partners for locally-led climate action, multilevel governance and the achievement of global goals?
• How can international partners support local action for an integrated approach to sustainable development and climate resilience? Focusing on climate-resilient development and nature-based solutions, systemic approaches to create and make use of co-benefits are discussed.
• How can we unlock climate finance for local governments, in particular for the most vulnerable? Resilience and adaptation receive less than 10% of what is needed to accelerate local climate action. What are the existing financing solutions that can be scaled up? What is needed to operationalize them? How can multiple goals related to local justice and climate action be addressed?

Discover full list of UNEP activities at COP28.