21 November marked the “Local Government Day” at COP29 China Pavilion, celebrating the critical role of local governments in advancing climate action. The day spotlighted four of China’s most significant local governments – Beijing, Tianjin, Chongqing, and Guangdong Province, each demonstrating leadership in addressing global climate challenges.
Beijing, the nation’s capital, leads in emissions trading and biodiversity integration. Tianjin exemplifies innovative urban sustainability through projects like the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City. Guangdong, as China’s economic powerhouse and a global manufacturing hub, is leading transitions to clean energy and sustainable industrial practices. Chongqing, with its vast population of over 30 million, is a global model for balancing urbanization and environmental preservation.
ICLEI played a significant role throughout the day, with representatives actively participating in sessions, fostering city-to-city exchanges, and highlighting the importance of multilevel collaboration in advancing global climate goals.
Kobie Brand, ICLEI Deputy Secretary General, opened the Chongqing session by highlighting the city’s leadership in the GEF7 Green and Carbon Neutral Cities program. “Urban areas are at the heart of climate action, driving both the challenges and the solutions. By working together, we can transform urban environments into hubs of green innovation, resilience, and sustainability” she said.
At Beijing’s session, Ms Brand gave an opening remark and commended the city’s decade-long partnership with ICLEI and its achievements in biodiversity and emissions trading. “Beijing’s proactive efforts set benchmarks for megacities worldwide, proving that ambitious local actions can drive global progress”, she highlighted.
Saharnaz Mirzazad, ICLEI USA Executive Director, brought insights from North America’s urban resilience practices to Tianjin and Chongqing side events, and highlighted the importance of maintaining local exchanges and collaboration between Chinese and U.S.cities, focusing on practical solutions in urban climate issues within a complex global political climate.
Bianca Cantoni, ICLEI South America’s Institutional and Advocacy Coordinator, enriched the discussions in Tianjin side event with experiences from South America, showcasing the value of ICLEI’s global network in fostering cross-regional learning and exchanges.
Shu Zhu, ICLEI East Asia Regional Director, played a critical role in moderating discussions across sessions hosted by Tianjin, Chongqing, and Beijing. He successfully united diverse perspectives and drove meaningful discussions on low-carbon development, urban resilience, and multilevel climate strategies, reinforcing the power of collaboration across sectors and regions.
Additionally, ICLEI demonstrated its strength in fostering international city-to-city collaboration throughout the Local Government Day, by inviting the representatives from U.S., Nevada, Monroe County and New York; and Turku, Finland, to those side events. Their participation enriched discussions and strengthened international exchanges, jointly advancing efforts toward more effective urban climate actions.
Local Government Day in China Pavilion at COP29 exemplified the power and meaning of multilevel governance, where local, regional, and international actors collaborate to address the global climate crisis, and shape a resilient and sustainable global future. As Kobie Brand stated, “It is through our collective efforts that we will address the global climate crisis and ensure a more sustainable future for all.”
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