COP 15 Copenhagen: Local governments demand recognition and resources for local action    

Local government representatives from around the world present in Copenhagen for the COP 15 UNFCCC negotiations are adding their voice to Climate Change debate to seek recognition of their role in this process. 

On Monday 7 December 2009, African local government leaders joined the Local Government Lounge hosted by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability at the UNFCCC COP15 to declare their commitment to bold and up-scaled local action. These local government leaders called for urgently needed to resources to enable such up-scaled and accelerated local action.  

Local government activities at the COP15 UNFCCC form part of the Local Government Climate Roadmap process which aims to mobilize and strengthen the involvement of Local Governments in the climate debate towards a strong post-2012 Climate Agreement and the implementation there-of. The global process is being facilitated by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), supported by Metropolis, C40 Climate Leadership group and the World Mayors Council on Climate Change (WMCCC).  

In Africa, the process is being coordinated by ICLEI Local Government for Sustainability - Africa Secretariat in partnership with the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA).

To read ICLEI’s media release on planned local government action at the COP15 UNFCCC in Copenhagen, please click here

To read ICLEI’s press statement providing an update of activities unfolding in Copenhagen, please click here