Global Ambition, Local Action: Local and Regional Governments’ Participation and Multilateral Environmental Agreements

Implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) increasingly depends on action taken at the local and subnational levels. Coordinated and strategic multi-level action is key for more effective and inclusive outcomes in global environmental governance. Although more than 70% of climate solutions fall under LRGs jurisdiction, their participation is hampered by limited upstream access to negotiations, complex MEA processes, fragmented coordination, and constraints in accessing adequate finance.

The convergence of the three Rio Convention COPs in 2026 is a crucial time to study the evolving role of LRGs as key actors in translating global environmental commitments into tangible urban outcomes.

A new UNEP white paper states that policy coherence across MEAs, access to finance and equitable representation will be critical to unlock synergies and streamline local implementation. This session aim is double: showcase the findings of this paper create space for discussion and reflection among relevant experts, national governments and local actors, so to incentivize deeper and more effective engagement by cities in responding to global sustainability challenges.