To respond to the climate challenge, countries need to align their national and local efforts, tapping into the potential of multiple levels. adelphi is leading an international consortium to support coordination of government efforts and to capitalize on local climate action in four countries.
The national governments of Kenya, South Africa, Vietnam and the Philippines have formulated ambitious climate targets and adopted national climate change and green growth strategies. Their cities and sub-national authorities are important actors in translating these national targets into action and have thus far demonstrated encouraging results. However, significant challenges exist particularly in coordinating the climate agenda across levels and replicating successful climate actions.
This new four-year project supports these national governments by promoting further options for policy coordination and by developing networks between local stakeholders. The international consortium led by adelphi will organise more than 30 thematic policy dialogues and host 20 good practice exchanges to identify and promote innovation potential at the sub-national level. In addition, it will create four pools of trainers to strengthen the capacities of about 250 actors on action and planning for green growth, low emission development, and climate mitigation.
The consortium will accompany the project implementation with applied research to provide fresh insights into the modalities of successful multi-level governance for climate action. Significant questions worth exploring include: How can climate mitigation, adaptation, and development efforts at different levels be optimally aligned? What are drivers and barriers? And what lessons can be transferred?
The consortium consists of key organisations driving local climate action on the political agenda: UN Habitat, One World, Sustainable Energy Africa and the Institute for Law and Environmental Governance. The project is supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) as part of its International Climate Initiative (IKI), mitigating greenhouse gas emissions area.