At COP30, cities have emerged as key players in the global response to climate change, with a growing focus on adaptation and multilevel governance. COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago emphasized that effective climate action requires close collaboration between national, regional, and local governments.
During the event, a new report was launched highlighting the inclusion of cities in countries’ updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The findings show a clear shift from planning to implementation at the local level, underscoring the importance of aligning urban development with climate strategies.
Rossbach, one of the speakers, noted that “climate action is increasingly being realized in cities,” pointing to stronger integration between urban and environmental agendas.
According to the report, more than 75% of NDCs now include specific references to cities, while over 80% feature broad economic coverage and adaptation components. This demonstrates countries’ serious commitment to addressing climate challenges through inclusive and practical measures.
Selwin Hart, Assistant Secretary-General for Climate Action at the United Nations, praised the progress, stating, “There is quality in those NDCs — countries have taken this exercise extremely seriously, and they will need your support to deliver more and achieve more.”
The discussion reinforced that achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement will depend heavily on empowering cities to act as drivers of sustainable and resilient transformation.
