Localizing the NDCs: GCoM’s Perspective on Funding and Scaling Climate Action

One of the side events that was organized on COP 26 was “Localising the NDCs: how do we fund and implement action at scale?” which was organized by Global Covenant of Mayors  Secretariat in cooperation with European Covenants on 9 November 2021.

This session discussed how to handle the global climate challenge by decarbonisation. And it was started with the question “How Local and National Government work together with all stakeholders to implement the city action climate plan within NDC.” The result of discussion is expected as a turning point that will influences society on their environment, economic and social point of view.

In the opening remarks, Mayor of Toyota City, Toshihiko Ota, shared experience that Toyota City has been known as a manufacturing city for a long time, and 70% of the city area is covered by forest, or known as “Macrocosm of Japan”. Mayor Toyota city and Japan Covenant of Mayors targeting 30% reduction of carbon dioxide emission by 2030, and focusing on 5 strong pillars : transportation, industry, forest, citizen and downtown areas.

Following to the opening remarks, Benjamin Jance, Strategy and Operations Officer of GCoM Secretariat, introduced the launching of “Multilevel Climate Action Playbook,” as all in one resource guideline for National and Local governments to collaborate in reducing carbon emission implementation. On his presentation, Benjamin identified several challenges such as how current NDCs are insufficient; ambition and Implementation gaps; complexities in good governance and access to data that led to the launch of this playbook.

Meanwhile, Masambe Thioye, Manager of Regulatory Framework Implementation Subdivision of the UNFCCC, explained that two- ways communication between National, Local and communities are very important for the integration of NDCs. Long- term carbon emission reduction plan should also be based and considered upon the human basic needs. Once the needs between communities, local and national government have been accommodated, then the integration of multilevel sector could be reached.

At the same time the implementation of multilateral collaboration requires a new type of leadership, based on radical collaboration, that allows leaders to see a broader picture of climate crisis issues.

Ryozo Sugimoto as Director of the International Cooperation and Sustainable Infrastructure Office of Japan’s Ministry of Environment gave the concrete example on how the NDCs  has been localised in Japan. He explained that more and more local governments in Japan make commitment to reach net- zero carbon by 2050.

Sharon Djiksma, Mayor of Utrecht, gave example how the integration of NDCs have been developing in Europe, by using clean energy in all aspects of daily life, and mentioned that the constant challenge is on the fund, where currently Europe needs approximately  EURO 1,5 billion Euros to implement the clean energy projects.

Furthermore, Guillia Macagno from European Investment Bank, explained that by 2030 the local government needs USD 93 Trillion to create green infrastructure globally, which will pose challenges for local governments. She also added other challenges such as lack of fund access; limited in-house capacities for urban planning; uncertain regulatory framework; lack of political support; and insufficient alignment with national climate strategic objectives.

Liviu Stribat, Deputy Head of Unit, EU Commission, on his final remarks, conveyed that the collaboration between national and local government, and all stakeholders in implementing the NDCs is really important, and the accumulated target amount of the decarbonisation by 2050 is equivalent with reducing 16 million cars in the world.

By KM Team

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbLKG7oM7eo