The time for action is now
As the climate crisis becomes ever more urgent, we need to find practical ways to achieve results in an equitable and just way that leaves no one behind. We’re past the stage of setting targets and must take action.
With its focus on implementation, COP27 will provide an opportunity for state and regional governments to show how they’re achieving their climate goals here and now.
And will be an important milestone in our collective journey to net zero emissions by 2050.
Our key events
We're uniting with our partners to showcase how states, regions and provinces are raising their ambition and challenging themselves to do more on climate change.
Latin American strategies for implementing the Paris Agreement: a climate alliance perspective
Subnational action is crucial to achieve the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. However, the form this action takes can vary substantially across different jurisdictions, and can create gaps in terms of resource availability and technical capacity. We need climate alliances and coalitions to bridge these gaps. This event will present different aspects of climate implementation promoted by coalitions in Latin America. It will ask: what are the collective guidelines for good governance, planning and monitoring? And how can alliances help to accelerate action towards climate mitigation and adaptation?
Organisers: Under2 Coalition, Brazilian Association of Environmental Entities (ABEMA) and Regions4
When? Wednesday 9 November: 14:45 - 15:45 (GMT+2)
This is an in-person event and requires COP27 accreditations to access the blue zone.
A spotlight on states’ and regions’ contributions to the Global Stocktake – ‘Getting It Done’
States, regions and provinces are at the sharp end of the climate crisis. And as such, they’ve become natural leaders in enacting practical actions to tackle it. This event will demonstrate the role of states, regions and other non-state actors in international climate processes and in driving progress on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Organisers: Under2 Coalition and Regions4
When? Thursday 10 November: 13:30 – 14:45 (GMT+2)
This is a hybrid event. Join virtually. Passcode: 088132
The world's Mediterranean climate regions facing he climate emergency: lessons learned and shared solutions
The event will explore how states and regions with Mediterranean climate worldwide are tackling the climate emergency. Given the similarities in the challenges, opportunities and solutions putting forward, joint action and project implementation is key to becoming more resilient. The panel will share transformative and effective solutions that are advancing on climate change adaptation.
Multilevel action & the ambition loop: implementing the Glasgow Climate Pact to keep 1.5 alive
When multilevel actors unite and push each other to go further and faster, the resulting ambition loop unlocks the maximum potential for impact and innovation. Join national, subnational, business and community actors to examine this in practice. We'll talk about why collaboration is key to implementing the Glasgow Climate Pact and driving ambition to keep 1.5 alive. And to ensure that ambition is not the end of the journey, we'll also discuss the role of innovative technologies in driving global action and accountability.
Organisers: Under2 Coalition and COP26 Presidency
When? Saturday 12 November: 13:15 - 14:45 (GMT+2)
This is an in-person event and requires COP27 accreditations to access the blue zone and will be broadcasted on the UNFCCC YouTube channel.
The benefits of a just transition in transportation: lessons learnt from climate leaders
The future of transport is electric. But how do we ensure that this transition is fair to all? As governments and businesses ramp up their activities, we’re looking at how justice fits within the picture of exponential electric growth. Join us to hear how climate leaders are putting a just transition at the core of their transport agenda. And how they’re collaborating with others to ensure that the move to electric creates a fair and just transport future for all.
Organisers: ZEV Community (Under2 Coalition) and Government of Québec
When? Tuesday 15 November: 09:00 - 10:00 (GMT+2)
This is an in-person event and requires COP27 accreditations to access the blue zone.
High-level networking reception in partnership with North Rhine-Westphalia and UN ACE
The Networking reception taking place on ACE Day at COP27 is part of the activities organized by the Action for Climate Empowerment Hub (ACE Hub) to support the implementation of the Glasgow work programme on ACE. The ACE Hub is a three-year collaboration between the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Climate Action and Energy of the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and UN Climate Change. The overarching goal of the project is to foster the implementation of Article 12 of the Paris Agreement related to climate education and public awareness, training, public participation, and public access to information known as Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE), as well as to enhance the cooperation between national governments, non-Party stakeholders and organizations, experts and companies within and outside NRW in addressing climate change. The activities of the ACE Hub are delivered through its three pillars focusing on: national ACE focal points, youth and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Organisers: Under2 Coalition, UN ACE and the Government of North-Rhine Westphalia, with support from ACE AT.
When? Tuesday 15 November: 19:00 - 21:00 (GMT+2)
This is an in-person event and requires COP27 accreditations to access the blue zone.
Under2 Coalition government led events
Net Zero Futures Policy Forum presents: Nature-based Solutions: Success Stories and Common Challenges
This is a ministerial and officials-led event on nature-based solutions, focusing on successful policy approaches and the challenges ahead for subnational governments.
Organisers: Government of New South Wales
When? Thursday 10 November: 12:00 - 13:00 (GMT+2)
This is an in-person event and requires COP27 accreditations to access the blue zone.
Navarre towards energy transition
High level ministerial and official representatives from the Government of Navarre will engage with key organisations on green hydrogen and the solutions available to subnational governments in the energy transition.
Organisers: Government of Navarre
When? Friday 11 November: 12:00 - 13:30 (GMT+2)
This is an in-person event and requires COP27 accreditations to access the blue zone.
Green Hydrogen - Opportunities and Challenges
This event will be a ministerial high-level event focusing on the key opportunities around green hydrogen for subnational energy transitions.
Organisers: Government of South Australia
When? Monday 14 November: 12:00 - 13:00 (GMT+2)
This is an in-person event and requires COP27 accreditations to access the blue zone.
Net Zero Futures Policy Forum Reception
The Net Zero Futures Policy Forum is an international partnership of governments committed to addressing the practical challenges of achieving net zero emissions. At this event, Ministers from participating governments will sign the Forum's joining agreement and share their vision for the Forum, including how it will support their governments to make robust, effective policies. After the signing ceremony, there will be time for informal conversations between government representatives and others interested in the Forum.
Organisers: Government of Scotland
When? Monday 14 November: 18:00 - 19:30 (GMT+2)
This is an in-person event and requires COP27 accreditations to access the blue zone.
Further, Faster, Together - A Matter of Scale: Subnational Action for Climate Ambition
Subnational action at the city and state level is essential to the development and implementation of strong climate mitigation and resilience goals – both in the U.S. and around the world. This event will bring together leading governors and mayors to highlight the commitments and achievements of cities and states, the barriers they face, and the ways that multi-level governance and cross-sector collaboration can be improved for the sake of enhanced ambition.
Organisers: US State Department, Government of Yucatán and Washington State
When? Tuesday 15 November: 15:00 - 16:00 (GMT+2)
This is an in-person event and requires COP27 accreditations to access the blue zone.
Subnational climate policy in Morocco: Institutional state of play, support programs & feedback from local governments
This Side Event will make it possible at a first stage to discuss the institutional strategy about the subnational climate policy in Morocco by giving the floor to the Ministries and associations of elected officials, then to present support programs to the development of local and regional climate projects such as the SISTIF after its launch, the training program rolled out by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, as well as introducing the climate network "Under2 Coalition" that Moroccan regions are about to join.
Organisers: Association of Regions of Morocco (ARM), General Directorate of Territorial Governments (DGCT), the Moroccan Association of Presidents of Communal Councils (AMPCC) and the FMDV (Global Fund for Cities Development)
When? Thursday 17 November: 10:00 - 12:30 (GMT+2)
This is an in-person event and requires COP27 accreditations to access the blue zone.
COP27 thematic days
The COP27 Egyptian Presidency has designated a number of thematic days.
They'll focus attention on the promise of innovation and clean energy, as well as the centrality of water and agriculture to the climate crisis. The role of science will also be highlighted, along with the topics of biodiversity, energy, decarbonisation and finance.
Side events featuring subnational authorities
Systematic observation of greenhouse gases (GHG) to support climate action in cities and regions.
This event, with a focus on Africa and Europe, will present new approaches to generate spatial / temporal information from emission inventories. It will show how comparing 'observation' with innovative data collection can improve inventories and support climate services for mitigation, adaptation and risk management.
Organisers: Integrated Carbon Observation System European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ICOS ERIC), Climate Chance Association, Côte d'Ivoire
When? Wednesday 9 November: 11:30 - 13:00 (GMT+2)
Core principles for an independent grievance process in Article 6
Carbon market projects can harm local communities and indigenous peoples. Independent grievance processes are key to minimise this risk and ensure peoples' rights are fully respected. This event will assess past experiences and discuss principles for the grievance process mandated in Article 6.
Organisers: Carbon Market Watch (CMW), Comité Catholique contre la Faim et pour le Développement - Terre solidaire (CCFD-Terre Solidaire) and German NGO Forum on Environment and Development
When? Wednesday 9 November: 15:00 - 16:30 (EET)
Achieving measurable climate benefits through innovative infrastructure investments in North America
North American subnational leaders will describe recent infrastructure projects for water, transportation and clean energy within their jurisdictions that measurably and transparently contribute to the goals of greenhouse gas mitigation, climate resilience and equity for a net zero future.
Organisers: The Climate Registry (TCR), Georgetown University and US Green Building Council (USGBC)
When? Wednesday 9 November: 11:30 - 13:00 (GMT+2)
Scaling up innovative finance and solutions for accelerated adaptation in LDCs, SIDS and Africa
Building on collaboration between UN organisations, this event will share experiences and best practice on comprehensive risk management, innovative financing and space-based solutions to accelerate adaptation action, and to take climate talks from policy to action and results.
Organisers: United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
When? Friday 11 November 13:15 - 14:45 (GMT+2)
Summary of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) for Urban Policymakers
This event will launch a synthesis of the Summary for Urban Policymakers (SUP) series. This is an IPCC AR6 cycle derivative product that distills key scientific messages for the urban context, building on the COP26 call for multi-level climate action and continuity to policy-relevant climate action from COP24 to COP27.
Organisers: WMO/UNEP Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
When? Friday 11 November 18:30 - 20:00 (GMT+2)
Contribution of regions and cities in securing sustainable energy and actions for a just transition
Representatives of cities and regions will exchange on commitments and actions to secure energy supply following climate criteria and collaborating with citizens and civil society for just transition policies.
Organisers: Climate Alliance (Klima-Bündnis), Climate Alliance (Italy), Geres, The Heschel Center for Sustainability
When? Saturday 12 November 15:00 - 16:30 (GMT+2)
Power System Decarbonisation and Decentralisation: Experiences from California and Around the World
This session will showcase global experiences in building a decarbonised and decentralised 'Grid for the Future' through innovation, peer learning and the power of collaboration. It will highlight California's leadership and lessons learned using clean utility-scale and distributed energy resources.
Organisers: The Climate Center and National Renewable Energy Laboratory / Alliance for Sustainable Energy (NREL)
When? Saturday 12 November 15:00 - 16:30 (GMT+2)
Innovative communication formats for mobilising climate action
Non-state actor engagement is critical to implement the Paris Agreement. This even will consider the role that innovative communication formats can play in mobilising and supporting climate-smart action by non-state actors in politics, industry and civil society.
Organisers: Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), German Climate Association (DKK) and Helmholtz-Zentrum hereon GmbH (Hereon)
When? Monday 14 November 11:30 - 13:00 (GMT+2)
Climate Resilience - Ensuring equity and justice for poor in urban development
The urban poor in South Asia are facing loss and damage due to the impacts of climate change, largely because of limited financial and technological capacities of the countries to build climate resilient infrastructure. This event will push the agenda of equity ini financing inclusive urban development.
Organisers: Stichting Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA), Clean Energy Nepal (CEN) and Shariatpur Development Society (SDS)
When? Monday 14 November 15:00 - 16:30 (GMT+2)
Engaging Private Sector Finance to Implement NAPs and NDCs
This event will highlight the innovative mobilisation of private sector finance to support mitigation and adaptation investments, including agriculture, REDD+ and climate-smart infrastructure. Examples will include the Subnational Climate Finance initiative and Private Investment for Enhanced Resilience.
Organisers: Winrock International (WI) and R20 - Regions of Climate Action
When? Monday 14 November 16:45 - 18:15 (GMT+2)
Scaling up Adaptation Actions to Counter Climate Impacts: Best practices from vulnerable countries
This session, hosted by Sri Lanka and GGGI, will unpack and explore the best practices and key challenges for upscaling adaptation interventions in vulnerable countries facing multiple climate impacts.
Organisers: Government of Sri Lanka and Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
When? Monday 14 November 18:30 - 20:00 (GMT+2)
Shipping in a changing energy system - opportunities. Clean Energy Marine Hubs versus a value chain approach
The changes to the global energy system to meet the Paris Agreement Goals will reshape shipping – from vessels to ports and fuel providers. The urgency of decarbonisation means shipping will be a leader as a user and enabler of low carbon fuels. Here the opportunities and challenges will emerge.
Changes to the global energy system - needed to meet the Paris Agreement goals - will reshape shipping; from vessels and ports, to fuel providers. Given the urgency of decarbonisation, shipping will become a leading sector, both as a user, and enabler, of low carbon fuels. This event will showcase the emerging opportunities and challenges.
Organisers: International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Dalhousie University - Marine and Environmental Law Instititute, University of Manchester and Vanderbilt University
When? Tuesday 15 November 13:15 - 14:45 (GMT+2)
Transforming Mobility: Collective transport as the climate solution
Sustainable mobility is central to the success of a city and has a strong influence on quality of life. Sustainable urban transport will require a modal shift that can maximize socioeconomic and environmental benefits like economic
Organisers: International Union of Railways (UIC), Asociación Civil Sustentar para el Desarrollo Sostenible (Sustentar), European Cyclists' Federation (ECF) and International Association of Public Transport (UITP)
When? Tuesday 15 November 15:00 - 16:30 (GMT+2)
Jurisdictional Indigenous Redd+, Indigenous Climate Platform, Isolated Peoples and Carbon Piracy
This event will look at NDC climate ambition alongisde subnational strategies and jurisdictional Amazonian alternatives. Lessons will be shared from the REDD+ Indígena and the Indigenous Climate Platform - looking at equity and rights in payment for results to protected isolated people and stop carbon piracy.
Organisers: Asociación Interétnica de Desarrollo de la Selva Peruana (AIDESEP), Coordinadora de Desarrollo y Defensa de los Pueblos Indígenas de la Región San Martín (CODEPISAM) and Organización Regional de los Pueblos Indígenas del Oriente (ORPIO)
When? Tuesday 15 November 15:00 - 16:30 (GMT+2)
Delivering a just energy transition & the role of cities to address the climate and inequality crises
This event will explore key measures towards a just energy transition, with a focus on the role of cities to address the climate and global inequality crises. It will focus on urban planning, environmental equity, energy poverty, gender gaps, green recovery, green jobs, highlighting the role of solar.
Organisers: C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF) and EPIA SolarPower Europe (SPE)
When? Tuesday 15 November 16:45 - 18:15 (GMT+2)
The contribution of urban regeneration to climate neutrality in cities
Urban regeneration can trigger sustainable transformation impacting the built environment, mobility, circularity, digital, and Nature-based Solutions. These levers can substantially contribute to carbon neutrality while generating social value.
Urban regeneration can trigger a sustainable transformation - impacting the built environment, mobility, circularity, digital sectors and nature-based solutions. These levers can substantially contribute to carbon neutrality while generating social value.
Organisers: University Luigi Bocconi, Institute of Energy and Environment Economics and Policy (IEFE) and CAMBIAMO
When? Wednesday 16 November 11:30 - 13:00 (GMT+2)
No Solution for Me, Without Me: UN’s Efforts on Climate Justice through Local Action in Cities.
The transition to a just and inclusive urban environment must put community needs at the forefront. This session will discuss co-benefits, using examples of local climate action, that build resilience and share ideas for strengthening policy frameworks that unlock climate finance at the local level.
Organisers: United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and United Nations University - Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS)
When? Wednesday 16 November 13:15 - 14:45 (GMT+2)
Aligning Oil and Gas Production with the Paris Agreement
This Minister-level event will focus on the need to align oil and gas production with the objectives of the Paris Agreement, including a managed transition away from oil and gas production alongside promoting climate, energy and economic security.
Organisers: International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Government of Denmark and Government of Sweden
When? Wednesday 16 November 13:15 - 14:45 (GMT+2)
Climate action and New Urban Agenda: SDGs localisation and sustainable urban policy for resilience
The UN Economic Commissions and UN-HABITAT have been working as one to support national and local authorities in implementing the NUA through the development of coherent policies to transform cities into an engine of solutions to face climate change,reducing inequalities and strengthening resilience.
Organisers: Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) and United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT)
When? Wednesday 16 November 15:00 - 16:30 (GMT+2)
Bringing nature-based climate action into cities in challenging times
Urban nature-based action such as rewilding brings health, climate and nature benefits including lessening overheating and decarbonisation. Partnerships can unlock resources especially in developing countries while strengthening action under challenging health (e.g. COVID-19), economic and political conditions.
Organisers: German Development Institute (DIE - Bonn), Boticário Group Foundation for Nature Protection, Sociedade de Pesquisa em Vida Selvagem e Educação Ambiental (SPVS), York University and Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
When? Wednesday 16 November 16:45 - 18:15 (GMT+2)
Building African urban resilience during a climate emergency
African cities (of all sizes) are experiencing unprecedented climate change impacts now. Unlocking finance, tackling food and water insecurity, and protecting nature and our oceans, are central to building resilience in some of the world’s most vulnerable locales.
Organisers: ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), Energies 2050, Plateforme Océan et Climat (POC) and United Cities of Local Governments of Africa (UCLG AFRICA)
When? Wednesday 16 November 18:30 - 20:00 (GMT+2)
Mapping Subnational Climate Action through Forest Conservation that Benefits People and the Planet
GCF Task Force will unite government leaders and partners to feature progress on the Manaus Action Plan (MAP). Launched at COP26, MAP is a plan to reduce deforestation, create low emissions economies and protect Indigenous Peoples and local communities’ rights in 1/3 of the world’s tropical forests.
Organisers: Pronatura Sur, A. C., Earth Innovation Institute (EII) and University of Colorado at Boulder (CU-Boulder)
When? Wednesday 16 November 18:30 - 20:00 (GMT+2)