Across the world, cities are drawing up climate plans, setting ambitious targets, and preparing projects to cut emissions and adapt to growing risks.
Yet despite their central role in development and emissions, many local governments still struggle to access the financing needed to turn plans into action.
“Cities are delivering,” said Luis Sáenz, head of finance and policy advocacy at C40 and GCoM, a global climate-focused network of nearly 100 mayors around the world. “Cities are implementing. Cities are committed to climate action.” He noted that many local climate plans are, in some cases, more ambitious than national targets.