CLGF Secretary-General Ms Lucy Slack spoke at a session on amplifying multi-level climate governance on 3 December. Convened by UCLG, the session brought together a range of speakers from across the globe, all present at COP28 to push for local and regional government to be recognised as a full partner in climate action.

Bringing local government to COP28

The session was a chance to bring the Advisory Group of the UN Secretary General on Local and Regional Governments into the COP conversation, to welcome the establishment of the advisory group and its recognition of the importance of city, local and regional government leaders having a seat at the table to influence UN policy making. and to hear from mayors and other local stakeholders on how local government is making a difference.

The session was moderated by Emilia Saiz, Secretary General of UCLG and opened by Hon Parks Tau, former President of UCLG and now Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional affairs, South Africa who gave some context to progress that local government has made in raising its voice in the global policy debate, including through the Global Taskforce.

Accessing adequate resources

Debra Roberts, UCLG Ubuntu adviser indicated It is clear that the target of 1.5 is in serious doubt and she emphasised that this will mean unprecedented challenges at the local level and for local and regional governments across the globe. A number of mayors and local leaders, including some who are members of the UN Advisory Committee on Local and Regional Governments, shared their own experiences of managing climate change, engaging young people and the community into their work and highlighted the importance of access to adequate resources to be able to respond to the challenges of the climate crisis.  

Involving indigenous communities in climate action

Mr Tiyua Napoleon Uyunkar Kaniras, Provincial Prefect Morona Santiago in Ecuador also highlighted the importance of indigenous communities in planning and responding to the climate crisis. Cllr Marianne Overton, UK representing CEMR, shared information about a new publication that CEMR have produced on climate finance and CLGF had the opportunity to round out discussions by focusing on the growing impact that local and regional government are having in raising their voice including through the Global Taskforce and the Advisory Committee, but emphasising the need to continue to push at a national level for multi-level governance and the role that local government associations can play in strengthening this. This will also be key at the COP28 negotiations.