Tackle the information, and technology gaps cities have prioritized to drive science-based replicable action and sustainable innovation at the scale the world demands, and those cities need.
Innovate4Cities is the GCoM global climate action accelerator, a city-led initiative to establish a research and innovation agenda that builds off existing work done by city networks. We aim to provide the knowledge and innovation to arm local government practitioners to successfully make the case, and advance their efforts, with city leaders, private sector, citizens, and the financial community as they strive to undertake bold climate action, and ultimately drive resources to ensure successful delivery of global systems change.
More information: www.innovate4cities.org
If helpful, here are some of I4C’s workstreams:
- The 2024 Innovate4Cities Outcomes Report: At the Twelfth Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF12) in Cairo, GCoM, UN-Habitat, and Melbourne Centre for Cities launched the report “Accelerating Next-Generation City Climate Action: Findings from the 2024 Innovate4Cities Conference and Update to the Global Research and Action Agenda on Cities and Climate Change Science (GRAA)”. Following the 2024 Innovate4Cities Conference (I4C24), the report captures the catalytic findings, takeaways, and recommendations stemming from discussions with ~2,000 people across 226 sessions. Containing insights from urban practitioners, researchers, business leaders, and civil society, the report represents the latest milestone in the Innovate4Cities initiative towards accelerating city climate action. DIrectly informed by I4C24, “Accelerating Next-Generation City Climate Action” introduces an updated Global Research and Action Agenda on Cities and Climate Change Science (GRAA): the foundational evidence base and home to the 160 knowledge gaps and 250+ action priorities that – if addressed – can accelerate urban action implementation at the speed and scale needed to meet Paris Agreement goals and the Sustainable Development Goals.
- The “Integrity Matters for Cities, States, and Regions” Report: Credibility, fairness, and transparency are at the heart of effective climate commitments. In this direction, an Expert Group convened by GCoM and the World Resources Institute launched at COP28 the Integrity Matters for Cities, States, and Regions report. Serving as a follow-up to the flagship High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) Integrity Matters report launched at COP27, it outlines recommendations for subnational governments to ensure the credibility, accountability, and transparency of their net zero commitments while acknowledging their varied capacities and characteristics.
- GCoM and WGIC Unveil Geospatial Blueprint to Turbocharge City Climate Action: In a decisive move towards forging ahead with tangible climate action in cities, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) and the World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC) launched a new white paper titled “Accelerating City Climate Action through Geospatial Data” at Cities & Regions Summit of the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6). This joint effort sheds light on how geospatial technology can change the game for city-scale data, with applications that can help local governments understand and reduce emissions, identify climate risks and vulnerabilities, and catalyze energy transitions.
- Urban Transitions Mission (UTM): The Urban Transitions Mission (UTM) will mobilize decision makers across all levels of government to prioritize climate-neutral and net-zero pathways enabled by clean energy and systemic innovation across all sectors and in urban governance. By accelerating capacity-building and closing the gap between research, development and deployment, the Mission will empower cities to adopt innovative solutions and help reach tipping points in the cost and scale of those solutions for urban transitions. Launched at COP26, the UTM is one of the seven missions of Mission Innovation. Mission Innovation is a global initiative catalyzing a decade of action and investment in research, development and demonstration to make clean energy affordable, attractive and accessible for all
City Research and Innovation Agenda (CRIA)
The City Research and Innovation Agenda seeks to fill local-level knowledge, information, and technology gaps at every stage of the city climate action journey. Sourced directly from local policymakers, city leaders, and practitioners, it highlights today’s critical urban climate needs, outlines the necessary cross-sector partnerships and actions for successful delivery, and charts pathways to drive action implementation.
Global Research and Action Agenda (GRAA)
The Global Research and Action Agenda on Cities and Climate Change Science showcases the breadth of knowledge needed to support decision-makers and urban practitioners to tackle climate challenges. Building on existing knowledge and action, the Agenda aims to generate greater knowledge in support of practice and decision-making to address climate change in urban areas.
Summary for Urban Policymakers
German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM), Indian Institute for Human Settlements, Resilience First, Resilient Rising
Synthesizing the latest IPCC findings in partnership with cities and businesses across the globe.
Marketplaces
Responding to regional research & innovation priorities, Innovate4Cities Marketplaces connect cities, local governments, and organizations to collaborate on climate action implementation – providing the opportunity to reflect on the extent to which knowledge gaps identified through the 2021 Innovate4Cities Conference are being addressed at urban level and promote potential cross-sector partnerships that support city climate action implementation.
World Geospatial Industry Council (WGIC)
The World Geospatial Industry Council is an association of companies representing the entire ecosystem of the geospatial industry. WGIC endeavors to enhance the role of the geospatial industry and strengthen its contribution in global economy and society, as well as facilitate the exchange of knowledge within the geospatial industry and co-creation of larger business opportunities.
Integrity Matters
WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
The Integrity Matters for Cities, States, and Regions report serves as a follow-up to the flagship HLEG Integrity Matters report launched at COP27. It outlines recommendations for subnational governments to ensure the credibility, accountability, and transparency of their net zero commitments while acknowledging their varied capacities and characteristics.
Tools White Paper
Bloomberg Associates (BA)
World Resources Institute (WRI)
The ‘Decision-making and Tools Project’ was conducted to better understand the city climate action journey, barriers to climate action and implementation, as well as to connect cities to tailored tools that address their needs, regardless of their experience, shape or size.
Urban Transitions Mission
Launched at COP26, the UTM is one of the seven missions of Mission Innovation. It mobilises decision makers across all levels of government to prioritise climate-neutral and net-zero pathways enabled by clean energy and systemic innovation across all sectors and in urban governance. By accelerating capacity-building and closing the gap between research, development and deployment, the Mission empowers cities to adopt innovative solutions and help reach tipping points in the cost and scale of those solutions for urban transitions.