Enabling subnational climate action through multi-level governance

The Paris Agreement recognizes that local and regional governments have an important role to play in global climate action. It is time to take this recognition a step further. Local and regional governments can help nations craft policies and implementation strategies that are most effective on the ground.

Well-designed national frameworks need to take into account the roles and mandates of all levels of government to enable action. National ministries and departments with their respective sectoral or thematic functions, as well as regional and local governments need to cooperate, to align strategies, communication and processes for collective coordinated efforts. Top-down designed approaches are not enough for effective climate governance, as the state often may not adequately consider local realities, needs and challenges. The local level has no possibility of defining the national framework conditions independently. This is where multi-level governance has a key role to play to optimize climate action and sustainable development in all countries around the globe. 

This paper was developed by GIZ, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) and UN-Habitat. It aims to support the implementation of NDCs, by fostering sharing and learning from current climate change mitigation examples reflected in short case studies. These include experiences from Colombia, Germany, South Africa, Mexico and Myanmar, that exemplify good practices as well as barriers.