The Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency, representing cities, regions, and other subnationals within the global climate agenda, released a statement summarizing the outcomes of COP28. The statement hailed the unprecedented inclusion of local and subnational governments in the proceedings and outcomes and emphasized the critical role of multilevel action and cooperation in addressing the climate emergency.
ICLEI serves as the focal point of the LGMA to the UNFCCC.
“This COP28 is a milestone, a breakthrough for multilevel action! With the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships, over 70 parties are renewing their commitment to the vision of the Paris Agreement and their readiness for truly collaborative multilevel action. As we are starting the next phase of climate action by turning our commitments into action and results, ICLEI and Bonn are offering the well-established Daring Cities Forum, back to back to the June Climate Talks, to be used as a platform for concrete action and multilevel collaboration. Our commitment today will be turned into action along the way to Baku and Belém,” said Katja Dörner, Lord Mayor, Bonn, Germany, and ICLEI Global Executive Committee Member and Co-Chair of Climate Action and Low Emission Development Portfolio.
You can read the full statement here.
The most important outcome for the entire planet was the historic inclusion of transitioning away from fossil fuels in final COP28 outcomes, but the LGMA statement noted that we must go further and faster.
“Ending the era of fossil fuels is an absolute necessity – as our warming planet has no other emergency brakes. In Turku, we have already nearly completed our energy transition from fossils to renewables and are happy to support others in doing the same,” said Minna Arve, Mayor of Turku and Vice President of ICLEI Global Executive Committee.
This was an important year for cities and regions at COP. Noteworthy milestones include the COP28 Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnership (CHAMP) for Climate Action signed by over 70 nations, the first-ever Local Climate Action Summit, the multilevel cooperation at the Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change, and nearly USD 500 million in climate finance for urban infrastructure.
In the Outcomes Statement, the LGMA detailed the wins and areas where the Constituency is ready to work with Parties and the UNFCCC going forward.
2023 wins:
- Inclusion of multilevel action in Global Stocktake Outcomes.
- Operationalization of the COP28 Loss and Damage Fund with direct access for subnationals
- Recognizes and commends the leadership of the COP28 Presidency and High-Level Champion on the inclusion of local and other subnational governments at COP28.
- Welcomes COP28 strengthened synergies on climate and nature.
Going forward the LGMA:
- Supports CHAMP to be a part of the Roadmap to Mission1.5ºC as a method of including multilevel cooperation.
- Commits to continue deeply including youth voices in the local stocktake process.
- Welcomes the inclusion of cities and subnationals in the GGA, but wants targeted finance to enable enhanced action.
- Supports the second Ministerial Meeting on Urbanization and Climate Change and urges UNFCCC to make this meeting a mandated Ministerial within the COP agenda.
In the statement, the LGMA expressed readiness to continue the work with national counterparts at COP29 in Azerbaijan and to contribute to more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) at COP30.
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