Local Governments for Sustainability

Local Governments for Sustainability
Name	Local Governments for Sustainability
Native name	ICLEI
Formation	1990
Type	International non-governmental organization
Headquarters	Bonn, Germany
Region served	Global
Membership	Cities, towns, regional governments
Leader title	Secretary General
Leader name	Gino Van Begin

Contents

Local Governments for Sustainability is an international network linking subnational authorities including United Nations, European Union, World Bank, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group partners to advance urban sustainability. Founded amid dialogues involving United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability emerged from coalescing municipal movements around Agenda 21, Local Agenda 21, and programs connected to ICLEI allies such as United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Human Settlements Programme, Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, and ICLEI-affiliated city coalitions. The organization works with networks including Mayors Against Illegal Guns, European Committee of the Regions, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Organization of American States, and various national associations such as United States Conference of Mayors, ICLEI partners in Japan External Trade Organization, and regional bodies like the African Union.

History

The organization's origins trace to municipal diplomacy at events like the 1992 Earth Summit, Rio de Janeiro Summit, and interactions with delegations from ICLEI-linked municipalities including New York City, Tokyo, Bonn, Cape Town, and São Paulo engaging with protocols such as the Kyoto Protocol and frameworks like Local Agenda 21. Early milestones involved collaboration with actors from European Commission, German Federal Government, City of Freiburg, and networks such as ICLEI founding meetings, subsequent expansions through programmes tied to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change process, and partnerships with philanthropic institutions like the Rockefeller Foundation and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Over time, the network adapted to global summits such as COP21, COP26, UN Habitat III, and integrated initiatives with World Resources Institute, ICLEI-related research from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and joint projects with International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives affiliates.

Organizational governance mirrors federated models found in bodies like the United Nations General Assembly, European Committee of the Regions, and regional commissions such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Membership encompasses municipalities including Los Angeles, London, Beijing, Mumbai, Rio de Janeiro, and smaller jurisdictions represented alongside provincial actors like Bavaria, Province of Ontario, State of New South Wales, and metropolitan associations such as the Metropolitan Mayor's Association. The secretariat operates from hubs in Bonn, with regional offices coordinating through partnerships with entities like the Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and regional networks including ICLEI members in ICLEI Africa, ICLEI Europe, and ICLEI East Asia.

Programs intersect with technical platforms similar to those of C40 Cities, Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, and United Nations Environment Programme projects. Initiatives include climate mitigation campaigns analogous to Race to Zero, resilience programmes comparable to 100 Resilient Cities, biodiversity efforts linked to Convention on Biological Diversity, and urban planning tools reflecting research from Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, American Planning Association, and World Resources Institute. Collaborative projects have tied to donors and implementers such as the European Investment Bank, Green Climate Fund, United Nations Development Programme, and academic partners including Harvard University, University College London, and University of Tokyo.

Activities span policy domains engaged with international agreements such as the Paris Agreement, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and sector-specific frameworks like the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Workstreams involve urban mobility intersecting with agencies like International Association of Public Transport, energy transitions working with International Energy Agency, waste management in coordination with UNEP, and nature-based solutions aligned to Convention on Biological Diversity programmes. The network provides technical assistance comparable to offerings from World Bank urban teams, capacity building linked to UNDP training, and advocacy resembling campaigns by Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, and municipal lobbying groups such as United Cities and Local Governments.

Governance features a council and presidential leadership modeled after bodies like United Cities and Local Governments and parliamentary procedures found in the Council of Europe. Funding derives from multilateral grants from institutions like the European Commission, World Bank, and Green Climate Fund, philanthropic contributions from foundations including the Rockefeller Foundation and Ford Foundation, membership dues from cities such as New York City and Melbourne, and project contracts with agencies like UNEP and UNDP.

The organization has influenced municipal commitments analogous to outcomes from C40 Cities and Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, contributing to urban climate action plans reflecting targets in the Paris Agreement and reporting frameworks compatible with CDP and Global Reporting Initiative. Critics cite concerns similar to those raised about international networks like World Bank programs and UN partnerships: questions of equity echoed in debates on climate justice, accountability compared with mechanisms in the International Criminal Court, and effectiveness relative to outcomes measured by institutions such as IPCC and research from Stanford University and London School of Economics. Supporters point to measurable projects in cities like Bonn, Bergen, Pretoria, and Curitiba as examples of implementation and collaboration with actors including the European Investment Bank and ADB.

Category:International environmental organizations