On November 16th, 2024, the Italian Pavilion at COP29 hosted a pivotal event titled “From Cali to Belem: The Leadership of Subnational Governments for Climate Action and Biodiversity.” Organised by the Government of Lombardy in collaboration with Regions4, this in-person session highlighted the critical role that subnational governments play in addressing the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.

The event brought together influential stakeholders from across the globe, including regional leaders, policymakers, and representatives from international organisations, to explore how local and regional governments can drive meaningful action in the fight for a sustainable future. The session provided a platform for showcasing the key leadership initiatives and innovative projects led by subnational governments, with an emphasis on their role in shaping global climate and biodiversity agendas.

Setting the Stage: A Global Movement for Climate and Biodiversity Action

A central theme of the session was the recognition that subnational governments are not merely implementers of national or international policies. Rather, they are critical actors in the global movement towards sustainability, with the ability to enact tailored, impactful policies that reflect the unique needs and challenges of their local communities. 

Regional governments have a deep understanding of their ecosystems, economies, and communities, allowing them to drive policy innovations that can be scaled up to national and global levels. Whether through land-use regulations, sustainable urban planning, or biodiversity conservation programs, subnational governments have the power to directly influence the preservation of ecosystems and reduce carbon footprints at the grassroots level. 

In the session, experts underscored the importance of placing subnational governments at the heart of international climate and biodiversity negotiations. By acknowledging and empowering these local and regional leaders, COP29 seeks to build a more inclusive, collaborative approach to global climate governance. 

What’s at stake?

Mr. Alessandro Guerri, General Manager for International, European Affairs and Sustainable Finance, Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, emphasised the critical role of regional and local governments in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. He highlighted Italy’s progress, particularly through Lombardy’s leadership in localising Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within national policy, which is now being implemented across all regions. Italy’s collaboration with UN-Habitat and active participation in international climate and biodiversity conferences demonstrate its commitment to global cooperation. Guerri also pointed to Italy’s partnerships with regions in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, addressing issues like disaster management, clean water access, renewable energy, and biodiversity conservation. He underscored the importance of a National Strategy for Biodiversity and the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan, which supports local governments with funding, training, and technical assistance. Looking forward, he stressed the need for innovative projects, public-private partnerships, and community engagement to advance sustainable practices. 

Mrs. Natalia Uribe, Secretary General of Regions4, emphasised the vital role of subnational governments in addressing climate and biodiversity challenges. She explained that as we came back from the Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (COP16) and with an eye on COP30 in Belem, we’re seeing increased recognition that the climate and biodiversity crises are two sides of the same coin.  

She highlighted the organisation’s RegionsAdapt initiative, launched in 2015 to support regions in adapting to climate change, now involving around 80 regions and impacting 434 million people. Regions4, through its flagship initiative, empowers regions through peer exchanges, progress reports, and tools like the Adaptation Tracker to monitor adaptation efforts globally. 

She launched the RegionsAdapt Progress Report 2024, which examines the critical link between nature and climate. The report reveals the progress of 40 regions from over 16 countries.  

It assesses how regional governments are doing regarding their key commitments to the RegionsAdapt initiative and Race to Resilience which are to develop risk assessments, plan for adaptation, act and report, notably when looking at the connections between biodiversity and climate resilience. 

She highlighted that regarding risk assessments: of the 196 different risks reported, the top five are drought, extreme heat, wildfires, water stress, and river flooding. Fifty-seven percent of these risks were reported to significantly affect nature conservation and forestry. 

On the second commitment—ambitious planning: around 75% of RegionsAdapt members are developing adaptation plans, many of which are complemented by biodiversity strategies. Governments like Andalusia, Basque Country, and Yucatan are integrating green infrastructure, forest restoration, and biocultural conservation into their climate strategies, demonstrating how nature-centered policies can reinforce climate resilience and sustainable development. 

On the third commitment—taking action: RegionsAdapt’s report highlights over 100 actions in biodiversity conservation with a strong focus on nature-based solutions. For example, Quebec is supporting species migration through the creation of ecological corridors in close cooperation with local communities, farmers, and indigenous groups. 

However, the report also identifies gaps in governance and financing, stressing the need for better coordination between national and subnational plans and increased investment in regional governments. Uribe concluded by reiterating the importance of regional governments in driving impactful, nature-positive, climate-resilient action, and emphasised the need for direct financial support to unlock their potential. 

>> Read the RegionsAdapt Progress report 2024 here. 

Key Highlights: Regional Leadership and Best Practices  

• Lombardy region 

Mr. Giorgio Maione, Minister, Environment and Climate of Government of Lombardy shared two examples of regional action to improve energy efficiency in public buildings, which account for 40% of total energy consumption. Lombardy invested €25 million in renovating public buildings, prioritising the least efficient ones to maximise impact. These renovations included energy efficiency measures and resilience enhancements, such as green infrastructure and smart systems. The projects reduced energy demand by up to 71% and installed over 300 kW of photovoltaic capacity. Additionally, Lombardy invested €12 million in installing photovoltaic panels on 240 public residential buildings, generating €1.1 million annually, which is redirected to poverty alleviation projects. 

Mr. Maione highlighted Lombardy’s commitment to sustainability, with the adoption of the Regional Sustainable Development Program in March 2023, aligning with the 2020-2030 Agenda. He also discussed two green budgeting initiatives to develop tools for tracking climate-related investments, aiming to maximise the impact of public spending on climate and biodiversity goals. 

• Quebec 

Mr. Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change of the government of Quebec highlighted the growing connection between climate change and biodiversity protection, emphasising that both issues are increasingly interlinked in the province’s approach. Québec has developed a successful partnership with California, utilising a carbon market as a key tool for financing climate action. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of its cap-and-trade system, Québec generates significant revenue from the market, which funds a range of programs aimed at reducing emissions. In particular, nature-based solutions are increasingly central to these initiatives, helping cities become more resilient to climate impacts. 

Mr. Charette also discussed the province’s $10 billion climate action plan and its complementary $1 billion nature protection plan, along with a $500 million water protection initiative. These programs are interconnected, reflecting the importance of safeguarding water and nature as part of Québec’s resilience strategy. 

Additionally, Charette emphasized the growing leadership role of subnational states in global climate efforts, advocating for collaboration with international coalitions like Regions4 and the Under2 Coalition. Québec has contributed over $100 million to global emission reduction initiatives in other countries and was the first subnational government to donate $2 million to the Global Fund for Biodiversity, underscoring its commitment to international climate and biodiversity goals. 

• California 

Ms. Sara Aminzadeh, Deputy Secretary for Natural Resources in California, outlined the state’s approach to biodiversity and climate protection, emphasising that these efforts reflect California’s core values, including the conservation of 30% of lands and waters by 2030. She highlighted three key financing mechanisms for biodiversity initiatives: 

1. Public Financing: California has invested $1.3 billion in nature-based solutions, with recent funding from a $10 billion climate bond to support conservation projects across the state. 

2. Private Sector Partnerships: California engages major companies like Apple in funding projects, which recently funded a wetlands restoration project in the Dos Rios area. With California having the 5th largest economy in the world, engaging more private sector partners will be important in the coming years. 

3. Philanthropy: The state has launched initiatives like the Wildlife Crossings Fund and invested in tribal land restoration, supporting wildlife corridors and returning land to tribes. 

Mrs. Aminzadeh also discussed California’s commitment to respecting indigenous knowledge in land stewardship and its efforts to attract additional investments to meet biodiversity goals. With 25.2% of its 30% conservation target achieved, California aims to lead by example in balancing clean energy development and biodiversity protection 

• Sao Paolo 

Mrs. Marisa Maia de Barros, Undersecretary of Energy and Mining government of Sao Paolo outlined the state’s climate strategy and financing mechanisms. São Paulo has joined the UN’s Race to Zero and Race to Resilience campaigns and developed comprehensive climate action and adaptation plans. To support these plans, the state has established a financing mechanism – FINACLIMA, to attract private national and international funds for climate and biodiversity projects. A council of government and civil society representatives will select projects, including ecological restoration and nature-based solutions. São Paulo’s Water Springs Program, focused on water resource production and biodiversity protection, is among the first eligible projects. 

• Andalusia 

Mrs. Catalina García Carrasco, Minister for Sustainability and Environment, Government of Andalusia emphasised the region’s commitment to integrating climate action and biodiversity protection. In response to climate change impacts such as rising temperatures and reduced rainfall, Andalusia has developed a comprehensive Climate and Biodiversity Action Plan. This plan includes mitigation and adaptation strategies at regional and local levels, supported by €1.7 million for local governments to create climate action plans and track emissions. Andalusia also promotes a circular economy, engages the private sector through emission compensation, and protects biodiversity through initiatives like the Andalusian Forest Law and species recovery programs for the Iberian lynx and Spanish imperial eagle. 

Crucial collaborations to empower local action on climate and biodiversity 

The event also looked at the necessary collaboration to strengthen the leadership of regional governments on climate and biodiversity. 

Mr. Orville Grey, Head of the Secretariat of the NAP Global Network, IISD, highlighted the importance of vertical and horizontal integration in national adaptation plans (NAPs) processes. He emphasised the growing coordination between national and subnational governments, particularly in key areas for climate change adaptation, like disaster risk reduction, water management, and regional development planning. Mr. Grey noted the increasing role of climate-related governance mechanisms, such as those in Kenya, Colombia, and Nepal, which integrate climate change into national and subnational planning. He stressed the need for alignment between biodiversity, climate change, and adaptation strategies, advocating for a holistic approach to ensure effective climate resilience and the involvement of various stakeholders, including the private sector and local actors. 

Mr. Leo Bejerano from the Catalan Government discussed innovative funding and collaboration mechanisms with the private sector to support biodiversity and climate action. Catalonia has implemented one of Europe’s first regional climate change laws, creating a carbon tax that funds two major initiatives: the Natural Heritage Fund and the Climate Fund, with over €400 million for biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation. Bejerano highlighted three key private sector collaborations. First, the “Action Green” program offers 100% grants for R&D projects focused on reducing emissions and conserving biodiversity, generating a 5x return on investment. Second, Catalonia’s carbon market includes forestry, agriculture, and blue carbon, incentivising private companies to buy climate credits. Lastly, a new credit line with favorable terms, subsidised by the Catalan Government, helps companies invest in climate and biodiversity projects. These efforts combine public resources with private sector engagement to drive significant environmental impact. 

Finally, Mrs. Elina Roine, Deputy Director General of Operations at the European Investment Bank shared insights on financing climate action and resilience from the perspective of financial t institutions, emphasising the “three A’s” challenge: availability, accessibility, and affordability of finance. As the EU’s largest financial institution, the EIB is transitioning to become the EU Climate Bank, with goals such as aligning all operations with the Paris Agreement and supporting €1 trillion in green investments by 2030. Last year, 60% of their lending went to green projects, including significant investments in cities and regions, which play a crucial role in global climate action. 

She highlighted that some estimates suggest that 90% of the climate action needed to meet the global climate targets will have to happen at the city or regional level. In fact, 50% of the investments needed to reach net-zero emissions will need to come from cities and regions. 

The EIB supports cities with advisory services, capacity-building, and financing tools to create investable climate plans. They offer a range of financing options, including public-private partnerships and venture debt, to improve project viability. To ensure affordability, the EIB blends public funds and leverages public finance to reduce costs for sustainable projects, exemplified by their work with Athens on adaptation planning. 

Mrs. Roine highlighted the importance of partnerships across sectors to break down silos and unlock financing. Mainstreaming climate and biodiversity goals into institutional strategies is crucial for achieving long-term climate objectives. 

Looking towards the future  

In conclusion, the moderator, Mr. Gian Luca Gurrieri, from the Lombardy region, emphasised the role of subnational governments in connecting climate and biodiversity action, highlighting their increasing involvement in financial mechanisms such as green budgeting, carbon pricing, and climate funds. Examples like Quebec’s commitment to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund at COP16 showcase the leadership of these governments in financing climate and biodiversity action. 

Nevertheless, Gian Luca highlighted that challenges remain, including evaluating the cost of inaction, attracting private investment, and integrating climate impacts into financial models. He stressed the importance of continued collaboration with Regions4 to strengthen innovative financing solutions, empowering subnational governments to meet global climate goals and foster a sustainable future. 

He concluded by adding that these processes can only be successful if, alongside the multilevel governance model, they include the active involvement of citizenship, including young people. A good example of horizontal intergenerational integration on climate and biodiversity is the event “Hackathon for Climate Action” (by the Italian Committee for UNICEF and IAIA Italy) that the Lombardy Region hosted on 7^th and 8^th November 2024, with the aim to promote the active engagement of young people in climate decision-making and to facilitate their dialogue with decision-makers. At the end of the two-day session, the 80 secondary school students delivered seven concrete climate projects to the attention of decision-makers.   

More insights from COP29

• Read our Regions4 COP29 Outcomes and Achievements Article
• Explore our “Evaluating Sub-State Government Adaptation Strategies: Advancing Territorial Climate Justice” Event Article