Unprecedented Challenges Demand Renewed Multilateralism
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In the context of significant global challenges and key summits, including the UN SDG Summit of the Future, COP16 on Biological Diversity, UNEP INC-5 on Plastic Pollution, and COP29 on Climate Change, it is imperative to establish a renewed, inclusive multilateral system. This system must engage all levels of government in a synergistic approach to address climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Global Sustainable Development Report 2023 warns that only 18% of the SDGs are on track, with notable setbacks in climate action and biodiversity conservation, underscoring the urgency of coordinated global action, that includes all levels of governments.
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The Critical Need for Immediate Action

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The destruction of natural ecosystems is exacerbating climate vulnerabilities and deepening social inequalities. Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse are rapidly escalating global risks, threatening future generations. Immediate and concerted action is essential to combat pollution, particularly plastic pollution, and to promote sustainable consumption and production patterns to safeguard both the environment and human health.

Regions4 key messages 

LGMA key messages 

As a key advocate for the role of subnational governments in climate action, Regions4 has been part of the drafting committee of the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency COP29 positions and is now inviting its members to endorse by sending their logos.

Explore the details of the LGMA COP29 positions papers here, with it key 3 asks at COP29 highlighted below: 

Region4 new publication: RegionsAdapt Progress Report 2024

Since its inception, RegionsAdapt has been dedicated to delivering valuable insights through its annual reports on adaptation efforts. Partnering with CDP, it offers a global platform for subnational governments to measure, manage, and disclose their environmental impact. The annual reporting process provides up-to-date assessments of members’ climate resilience progress, shaping peer-to-peer exchanges, and strengthening advocacy efforts. This ensures the voices of subnational governments are heard in global climate negotiations.

This year, the RegionsAdapt Progress report 2024 From Cali to Belem: Subnational Governments Leading Nature Actions to Adapt to Climate Change, focuses on the intersection of nature and climate. We invite you to explore the insights from 40 members who recently shared their progress, showcasing how strategies that address both biodiversity and climate can drive effective climate adaptation.

The RegionsAdapt Progress Report 2024 was launched on November 16. More info

Regions4 events

1. High-level event “From Cali to Belem: the leadership of subnational governments for climate action and Biodiversity”

📅 Saturday 16th November, 09:30-11:00 | Venue: Italian pavilion

Lead organisers: Regions4 and the Government of the Lombardy Region

Description: The intertwined crises of climate change and biodiversity loss require coordinated financial responses, with regional governments crucial for driving mitigation and adaptation actions. They connect local and national efforts, enabling accelerated and integrated solutions. This event examines subnational governments’ leadership and how the international community can support them when looking at the global discussions on global finance for climate action. Agenda and more details in the Concept Note.

In-person event.

2. High-level event “Building the Business Case for Climate Finance at the Subnational Level”

📅 Saturday 16th November, 15:00-16:30 | Venue: UNFCCC Official Side Event, Room 2, Blue Zone 

Lead organisers: MAIA EU Project, Regions4, Climate KIC, Global Infrastructure Basel Foundation (GIB) with the support from partners: European Committee of the Regions (CoR), Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), Athena Research Center (ARC), CDP, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), ICLEI, and Under2 Coalition.

Description: The event aims, collaboratively organised by MAIA EU Project partners,  to mobilise support for the crucial role of subnational actors in achieving global climate goals and advancing sustainable development. Key objectives include increasing financial resources at the subnational level and facilitating subnational access to existing funds, aligning climate finance with local priorities, enhancing collaboration among stakeholders—particularly the private sector—and showcasing innovative financial solutions by subnational actors. Agenda and more details in the Concept Note.

In-person event.

3. High-level event “Evaluating Sub-State Government Adaptation Strategies: Advancing Territorial Climate Justice”

📅 Saturday 16th November, 17:30-18:30 | Venue: Spanish pavilion

Lead organisers: Government of Catalonia, MITERD, and Regions4

Description: This event will showcase Sub-State governments’ pioneering work in developing and applying national indicators for climate change adaptation, a critical tool in evaluating the effectiveness of policies designed to enhance adaptive capacity. Amidst the global drive for targeted, cost-efficient adaptation strategies, Catalonia has established an innovative system for monitoring, reporting, and evaluating (MRE) climate adaptation efforts. The Catalan Office of Climate Change has developed a Global Adaptation Indicator, first introduced in 2014 and subsequently refined, to assess progress in reducing vulnerability to climate impacts, and to now meet the growing demands of climate justice, a key focus of the latest 2024 revision. This example along others presented in the event not only tracks the efficiency of adaptation measures but also identifies areas requiring further action, supporting both policy refinement and public accountability. Join us to learn about Subnational Government’s achievements and challenges in advancing a comprehensive, equitable, and data-driven approach to climate adaptation. Agenda and more details in the Concept Note.

In-person event.

Regions4 Selection of Members and Partners Events

For a full list of events, including those hosted by our members and partners, scroll down on the image below, or download it here.

COP29 Logistics Briefing

Information is available here.

#RegionsVoice 

In 2019 Regions4 launched the global campaign #RegionsVoice in a collective effort to bring the voice of regional governments to the major events and negotiation processes in sustainable development within the UN.

The aim of the campaign is to ensure the visibility and wider recognition of the role of regional governments in sustainable development, by elevating both individual and collective messages and engaging with a wider audience during the UN Decade of Action.

Explore the X stories from X regional governments that were shared by #RegionsVoice at COP29 on its dedicated page here.