22 April 2025 (Bonn, Germany): Today, on Earth Day, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability launched the Town Hall COP Initiative, a new global effort to center local communities in the climate conversation. Through public gatherings that are designed, led, and shaped by local priorities, Town Hall COPs provide a platform for people to share their visions, concerns, and solutions – and ensure they inform national climate strategies in this critical year for climate action.
As the impacts of climate change continue to intensify, the Town Hall COPs provide a platform for communities to take ownership of the climate conversation – connecting climate action with everyday issues such as affordability, public health, nature, jobs, and culture.
Over the coming months, cities and towns across the world will host their own “Town Hall COPs”. These will be open forums, climate summits, and workshops that reflect the unique challenges and opportunities of their local context. These outcomes will be shared with national governments and fed into the UNFCCC process through ICLEI’s role as the Focal Point of the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency.
Gino Van Begin, ICLEI Secretary General, said, “We are entering a decisive year for climate action. Town Hall COPs create a vital bridge between local innovation and national ambition. They offer a space for dialogue that is deeply rooted in people’s lived experiences – on the frontlines of climate change. At a time when some national governments are intentionally slowing down the implementation of the Paris Agreement, it is more important than ever that communities step forward to fill that void. Through these events, local leaders can demonstrate their commitment, inspire policy, and ensure the next generation of climate plans and action truly reflect the needs of those most impacted.”
ICLEI is supporting this initiative by offering a toolkit, sample agendas, and a 2,000 EUR grant to eligible communities to support their Town Hall COP events. Organizers are encouraged to register their events between April and September 2025, ahead of COP30.
To learn more about how to host a Town Hall COP and access resources, visit https://iclei.org/town-hall-cop/ or email townhallCOPs@iclei.org.
Note for Editors
Contact:
Ariel Dekovic
Head of Global Communications
Bonn, Germany
ariel.dekovic@iclei.org
About ICLEI: ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (known as “ICLEI”) is a global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 125+ countries, we influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development. Our Members and team of experts work together through peer exchange, partnerships and capacity building to create systemic change for urban sustainability.