BAKU, AZERBAIJAN (November 19, 2024) – Today, at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, World Resources Institute (WRI) launched a new report offering practical guidance and recommendations for national governments to strengthen their climate commitments through strategic partnerships with cities, states and other subnational actors.  

With the 2025 deadline for updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) approaching, the report shows how to integrate multilevel partnership into the NDC updating process, highlighting improved collaboration as key to achieving climate goals.

Created through WRI’s partnership with the Coalition for High-Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) for Climate Action, the guidance follows a three-step approach: reviewing existing multilevel partnerships to identify opportunities and gaps; planning meaningful consultation and engagement with subnational entities; and crafting ambitious NDCs that effectively incorporate subnational targets.

“Too often, national climate plans overlook the significant role of cities, which generate both 70% of global greenhouse emissions and 80% of global GDP,” said Ani Dasgupta, President and CEO of WRI. “At a moment when countries must strive to enhance their climate ambition and action, this report highlights examples and best practices for incorporating sub-national action into NDCs, a critical step toward accelerated progress.”

An estimated 90% of the greenhouse gas emissions reductions needed in cities can be achieved using widely available technologies and policies. However, most interventions require coordination across different levels of government to succeed, and such coordination remains rare. According to a UN-Habitat review, only 27% of submitted NDCs exhibit a strong urban focus. National governments must go beyond consultation, establishing effective pathways for collaboration to ensure shared responsibility for climate goals and their implementation.

The report includes recommendations on evaluating synergies and potential trade-offs in national and subnational goals. It also outlines how to develop a stakeholder engagement plan and integrate subnational data into national emissions inventories, among other ways to improve partnership.

“Together, we can forge the necessary connections to empower and advance the urban climate agenda through CHAMP and the NDC revision process,” said Gregor Robertson, former Mayor of Vancouver and Special Envoy for Cities for CHAMP. “With this guide, we set out new approaches for multilevel climate action across all sectors of society.”

COP29 has continued the momentum for city-level climate leadership initiated at COP28, which hosted the first Local Climate Action Summit and saw the launch of CHAMP, now endorsed by 74 countries. The Baku COP29 Presidency has pledged to prioritize subnational engagement, particularly through the COP29 Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP) Declaration for Resilient and Healthy Cities, set to be launched at the Urban Ministerial later this week.

“Enhanced NDCs are a critical opportunity to empower cities and subnational governments to deliver local climate action,” said Nigar Arpadarai, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29. “When national, subnational, and city governments work together, they can accelerate investment in green public infrastructure, adapt to climate risks, and steward a just transition away from fossil fuels. Critically, the COP29 Multisectoral Actions Pathways (MAP) for Resilient and Healthy Cities will continue to align national, regional and city-level climate actions.”

Colombia, a CHAMP member, has revamped its NDC process to demonstrate how engaging local actors can drive meaningful climate action, with cities central to mitigation and adaptation. The national government is holding open consultations with subnational governments across its five regions to co-develop climate strategies and ensure buy-in at all levels. This process involves urban leaders, civil society, regional leaders, the private sector and interest groups, tackling barriers that have previously hindered climate action.  

“Subnational governments play a fundamental role in updating Colombia's NDC,” said Eliana Hernandez, Lead Coordinator for NDC Enhancement from Colombia’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. “They are leading and contributing to the implementation of transformative actions that allow us to confront climate change and contribute to the fulfillment of our commitments.”  

CHAMP was launched at COP28 in 2023, led by the UAE COP28 Presidency with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies and partners such as WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, C40, the Global Covenant of Mayors, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, the NDC Partnership, the University of Maryland, United Cities and Local Governments, Under2 Coalition and UN-Habitat. Now endorsed by 74 national governments, CHAMP members commit to developing climate targets and strategies with strong involvement from subnational actors, including consulting and collaborating with subnational governments as they prepare their next round of NDCs.

“This round of updates to Nationally Determined Contributions is critical to getting the world on track towards emissions reductions that prevent the worst effects of climate change,” said Michael Doust, Global Director, Urban Efficiency & Climate, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. “As we increasingly see the effects of warming all around us, multilevel partnerships can create more ambitious and effective climate action.”

About World Resources Institute (WRI)
WRI is a trusted partner for change. Using research-based approaches, we work globally and in focus countries to meet essential needs, protect and restore nature, stabilize the climate, and build resilient communities. Founded in 1982, WRI has over 2,000 staff worldwide, with country offices in Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States, and regional offices in Africa and Europe.

About WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities is World Resources Institute’s program dedicated to shaping a future where cities work better for everyone. Together with partners around the world, we help create resilient, inclusive, low-carbon places that are better for people and the planet. Our network of more than 500 experts working from Brazil, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, the Netherlands, Mexico, Turkey and the United States combine research excellence with on-the-ground impact to make cities around the world better places to live. More information at wri.org/cities.