What we are doing
The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA) initiative supports Sub-Saharan African cities to tackle the interconnected challenges of climate change and access to sustainable energy. Started in 2015, CoM SSA is the African regional chapter of the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM), the largest network of cities driving urban climate action. CoM SSA provides broad-scale technical support to signatory cities through a Technical Helpdesk housed at ICLEI Africa, in Cape Town. At least 25 of these cities are provided with tailored technical support to develop and implement Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SEACAPs) via European Union member state organisations. As the initiative has matured, the focus has shifted moves from planning to implementation, and more specifically to unlocking climate finance at the local level. Implementing partners facilitate dialogue with private sector and finance institutions, link signatory cities with relevant initiatives for funding, facilitate inter-government dialogue on climate finance, and co-ordinate action between international commitments, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ICLEI Africa is working with GIZ to deliver technical services to the cities served by this member state organisation. ICLEI Africa leads the development of city SEACAPs in GIZ-served cities, and also assists GIZ and partners in supporting cities in gaining access to climate finance.
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How we are tracking
The CoM SSA initiative works through three pillars of action:
- Planning support: development of Sustainable Energy Access and Climate Action Plans (SEACAPs),
- Project development: urban infrastructure project support, and
- Knowledge exchange and partnerships: city-to-city/regional partnerships and exchanges
The CoM SSA Secretariat is the first contact point for CoM SSA cities and serve all CoM SSA signatories with light touch technical support and deep-dive support to a limited number of signatories. The CoM SSA Secretariat is the key coordination structure for the initiative, providing advocacy support, and ensuring effective communication and visibility for the initiative.
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What we are achieving
The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa supports Sub-Saharan African cities to tackle the interconnected challenges of climate change and access to sustainable energy. Started in 2015, CoM SSA is the African regional chapter of the Global Covenant of Mayors (GCoM), the largest network of cities driving urban climate action.
CoM SSA provides broad-scale technical support to signatory cities through a Technical Helpdesk housed at ICLEI Africa, in Cape Town. At least 25 of these cities are provided with tailored technical support to develop and implement Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SEACAPs).
As the initiative matures, the focus moves from planning to implementation and more specifically on unlocking climate finance at the local level. Implementing partners facilitate dialogue with private sector and finance institutions, link signatory cities with relevant initiatives for funding, facilitate inter-government dialogue on climate finance and co-ordinate action between international commitments, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Read more
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