As the world faces the escalating challenges of climate change, an often-overlooked group has emerged as critical allies in the fight to protect our planet – local leaders. From city mayors to regional governors, these frontline advocates are uniquely positioned to drive tangible climate action, yet their potential has long been underutilized by national governments.
That is starting to change, as a growing number of countries are recognizing the power of collaboration between national, state, and municipal authorities. By fostering stronger partnerships, nations can unlock the full transformative potential of local climate solutions, accelerating progress towards a sustainable future.
Amplifying Local Climate Leadership
Cities are home to over half the world’s population, accounting for more than 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As such, urban centers are both a major contributor to the climate crisis and ground zero for its devastating impacts – from extreme weather events to deteriorating air quality. Yet cities also harbor immense potential as hubs of innovation and change.
“Local governments are uniquely positioned to catalyze climate action across specific sectors and convene diverse stakeholders,” explains Neha Mehta, an urban sustainability expert at the World Resources Institute. “They have an intimate understanding of their communities’ needs and can tailor solutions accordingly.”
India’s “Grand Challenge” initiative is a prime example of how national-local collaboration can drive meaningful progress. Recognizing the critical role of public transportation in reducing emissions, the Indian government partnered with five major cities to collectively procure 5,000 electric buses. By pooling demand, the initiative was able to secure uniform pricing and streamlined specifications, lowering operational costs by 30% compared to conventional diesel buses.
“This was a game-changer for cities that had previously struggled to make the shift to electric vehicles due to high upfront costs and complex procurement processes,” says Mehta. “The national support, combined with the coordinated local action, created the perfect conditions for scalable, sustainable change.”
Unlocking Subnational Climate Finance
While local governments are essential to implementing climate solutions, they often face significant resource constraints, particularly when it comes to financing. This is where national-level support can be transformative.
In Kenya, the national government is collaborating with regional authorities on the Small Vehicles E-Mobility project, which aims to electrify the country’s ubiquitous motorcycle taxis. By mobilizing $7.9 million in subsidies and a $7.1 million credit guarantee fund, the initiative is making electric two- and three-wheelers more affordable for rural and peri-urban communities, which account for over 70% of Kenya’s population.
“Addressing both the demand and supply sides of e-mobility is crucial for ensuring a just and sustainable transition,” says Mehta. “The national government’s financial backing, coupled with local infrastructure and manufacturing support, creates an ecosystem primed for success.”
Similarly, in Norway, a nationwide carbon pricing scheme has generated over $34 billion in 2022 alone, which the government has directed towards building and maintaining climate-friendly railways across nine of the country’s largest metro areas. This investment has significantly improved passenger and freight transport, while also reducing emissions.
“National climate commitments can often feel abstract and disconnected from people’s daily lives,” Mehta observes. “But by channeling resources directly to local authorities, countries can tangibly demonstrate the benefits of ambitious climate action and inspire broader public engagement.”
Empowering Local Climate Planning and Implementation
Even with increased financial support, local governments may lack the technical capacity or policy frameworks to effectively implement climate solutions. This is where national-level guidance and capacity-building can make all the difference.
Chile’s landmark Climate Change Framework Law, enacted in 2022, serves as a model in this regard. The legislation overhauled the country’s approach to climate action, shifting responsibility away from a single ministry and distributing it across 17 different government agencies. Crucially, the law also empowered local and regional authorities to develop and implement their own climate policies, fostering a nationwide proliferation of innovative initiatives.
“By streamlining decision-making and giving local leaders more autonomy, Chile has dramatically accelerated the pace of climate policymaking,” says Mehta. “The procedural regulations and new accountability mechanisms built into the law ensure that these efforts have the continuity and public support they need to make a lasting impact.”
South Africa has taken a similarly collaborative approach through its Local Government Climate Change Support Program. The initiative facilitates peer-to-peer learning and vertical dialogue between national, provincial, and municipal authorities, helping to integrate climate change considerations into local development plans and support the funding and implementation of community-driven projects.
“Capacity, especially staff capacity, remains a critical barrier for many local governments,” Mehta explains. “National programs that provide technical assistance and facilitate multi-stakeholder partnerships can be instrumental in empowering subnational climate leadership.”
Elevating Local Voices in National Climate Planning
As countries prepare to deliver their next round of ambitious climate commitments under the Paris Agreement in 2025, the imperative for robust national-local collaboration has never been clearer. By elevating the voices and priorities of subnational governments, nations can craft climate strategies that are more responsive, credible, and impactful.
The Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) for Climate Action, launched at the 2023 UN climate summit, is one initiative working to bridge this critical gap. CHAMP aims to support national governments in enhancing cooperation with cities, states, and regions in the planning, financing, implementation, and monitoring of climate action.
“Too often, national climate plans have overlooked the unique capabilities and needs of local and regional authorities,” says Mehta. “CHAMP is helping to change that, ensuring that subnational leaders have a seat at the table and their contributions are fully integrated into countries’ climate commitments and strategies.”
Rwanda’s approach to its 2020 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) update offers a model worth replicating. The country leveraged its existing Environment and Natural Resources Sector Working Group, which includes representatives from various ministries as well as private, public, and research stakeholders, to verify data and monitor implementation progress. This collaborative process enabled Rwanda to itemize every mitigation and adaptation measure, along with the responsible entity, enhancing accountability and follow-through.
“Fostering genuine, structured dialogue between national and subnational governments is essential for crafting climate plans that are both ambitious and actionable,” Mehta emphasizes. “When local leaders are empowered as true partners, the results can be truly transformative.”
Towards a Climate-Resilient Future
As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, the need for comprehensive, coordinated action has never been more urgent. By recognizing local leaders as their most powerful allies, national governments can unleash a wave of innovative, community-driven solutions that have the potential to bend the curve on global emissions and build resilience at the grassroots level.
From electrifying public transit to catalyzing sustainable finance, the examples showcased in this article demonstrate the catalytic potential of national-local collaboration. As countries prepare to update their climate commitments in 2025, elevating the role of subnational authorities must be a top priority.
“Local leaders have an unparalleled understanding of their communities’ needs and the on-the-ground realities of climate change,” says Mehta. “By harnessing their expertise and empowering them as full partners in the climate fight, we can accelerate progress towards a sustainable, equitable future for all.”
