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Local Governments and Copenhagen
As the climate negotiations unfolded in Copenhagen, ICLEI delivered breaking news and progress from the local government perspective. Browse the links below for insight into COP15.
The eyes of the world were on Copenhagen in December 2009 with the expectation that a new post-2012 international climate agreement would be adopted at the Conference of the Parties (COP 15). Unfortunately, a binding agreement was not reached, but ICLEI and local government representatives are hopeful that they can play a vital role in the next round of international climate negotiations. Browse the resources below to learn more about how COP15 unfolded, from the local government perspective.
News and Updates
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(1/5/10) Copenhagen’s Results: Targets, Transparency, and Resources
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(12/28/09) Tough Questions From a Copenhagen Postmortem
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(12/21/09) ICLEI Statement: Local Governments Merit Seat at the Table Post-Copenhagen
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(12/19/09) NLC Delegation Champions Local Government at Climate Talks
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(12/17/09) New York Times: Mayors Seek Role in Climate Regulation
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(12/17/09) Disappointment in Copenhagen as Local Leaders Are Turned Away
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(12/17/09) Closed Doors Instead of a Seat at the Table
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(12/16/09) Mayor Bloomberg Spotlights the Message Behind the Message
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(12/16/09) Mayors Meet With State Department to Discuss Role of Local Governments
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(12/16/09) Schwarzenegger Steps Up to the Plate: Calls for Stronger Role of Subnational Governments
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(12/15/09) Local Governments Draw Attention and Crowds at COP15
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(12/15/09): In Copenhagen, New York City Shares 10 Lessons Learned With the World
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(12/14/09): From Mexico City to Amsterdam: Surf Thousands of Local Climate Commitments
(12/14/09): Mayors From Five Continents Seek a Bigger Role in Climate Negotiations
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(12/14/09): What We Want in Copenhagen and Why
ICLEI USA's Local Action Blog
The Local Action Blog (www.icleiusa.org/blog) offered multiple updates, interviews, and insight from our team in Copenhagen.
ICLEI USA's Twitter Feed
Via @ICLEI_USA on Twitter, we posted up-to-the-minute developments in Copenhagen, and links to our latest blog posts. Join the conversation for ongoing tweets from us!
ICLEI Global's Daily Updates
Go to www.iclei.org/cop15 for even more updates from our international ICLEI colleagues.
ICLEI USA COP15 Briefing Book
Download this free resource, which was designed to prepare ICLEI USA's local government delegation in Copenhagen. The Briefing Book contains a wealth of background information about the roles of national governments, local governments, and ICLEI itself. It also includes a helpful glossary of terms.
ICLEI USA's "Measuring Up" Report 2009
Download this detailed analysis of the impressive emissions-reduction goals and climate action progress of U.S. cities and counties. The report, which will be officially released in Copenhagen, also covers the highlights of another year of exciting accomplishments at ICLEI USA.
More Resources
- Local Government Climate Roadmap
ICLEI has been the primary representative of civic authorities at the COP since the Rio Summit in 1992. We have also been integral to developing the Local Government Climate Roadmap to help local governments advocate for a strong agreement in Copenhagen and for policies to empower localities to realize further reductions in emissions. - World Mayors and Local Governments Climate Protection Agreement
See which local governments have signed this agreement, introduced by New York City Mayor Bloomberg at COP 13 in Bali.
- City Climate Catalogue
During COP15, ICLEI released a catalog of climate action targets, commitments, and success stories from local governments around the world, designed to send a strong message to the United Nations about the ongoing leadership at the local level.
ICLEI's Actions in Copenhagen
ICLEI representatives from around the world worked hard to facilitate local government participation in Copenhagen through the following means:
Because cities represent half of the world’s population and almost two-thirds of all global greenhouse gas emissions, local engagement and empowerment will be an essential element for effective global climate action. ICLEI is committed to showcasing the leadership of local governments, and to amplifying their voices during international climate negotiations.
- Local Government Climate Lounge: Local government representatives gathered in this space at the heart of the negotiations for briefings, information and presentations.
- Side events: Attendees participated in events sponsored by local government associations, ICLEI, and NGOs to enrich the COP15 proceedings and establish life-long contacts.
- Interaction with COP delegates: Local leaders attending the meeting in Copenhagen met with national leaders and delegates to promote the local government message. It was important to ensure that local governments had a significant presence in the final text to assure that local leaders have the ability to support implementation of the climate agreement in the United States.
