Image courtesy of the Hamburg Sustainability Conference

As the world approaches global warming tipping points, local climate engagement aims at climate actions that are equitable, effective and aligned with local needs. This policy brief emerged from a session co-hosted with the German Institute of Development and Sustainability at the Southern Voice Conference in São Paulo in October 2025. It builds on a shared priority within our joint agenda: strengthening local action and governance.

Strengthening and scaling up these initiatives can amplify impact, though efforts are often fragmented and require improved coordination. The brief identifies barriers and enablers of local climate action, explores how it can best be scaled up, and outlines how international actors – including donors, policymakers, city and research networks, and businesses – can support this process.

Building on these insights, the following points outline key conditions for strengthening, scaling up and sustaining locally led climate action:

  • community-centred co-creation – investing in participatory, culturally grounded processes that map local needs, integrate diverse knowledge, and establish a common language;
  • predictable, flexible funding – providing long-term resources for locally led climate action, and planning additional finance to scale up solutions, including those involving knowledge-sharing platforms and coordination capacity;
  • private-sector engagement – creating incentives aligned with climate and community priorities, such as collaboration in the development of green products, facilitating market access, and supporting certification and value-chain regulations;
  • multilevel coordination and data sharing – establishing clear institutional pathways, monitoring mechanisms and interoperable data platforms to connect local action with national and international policies, leverage synergies, and increase accountability; and
  • just international partnerships – supporting local and Southern priorities through green development opportunities, ensuring fairness and co-benefits for all partners involved.

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