The power of informality and local knowledge in advancing just climate transitions in African cities

Urban climate governance increasingly invokes justice and equity, yet implementation often reinforces socio‑spatial inequalities. In many African cities, informality, regulatory ambiguity, and uneven institutional capacity deepen these gaps. Justice remains marginal in budgeting, risk frameworks, and climate project cycles, even as it is rhetorically prioritised. This session examines how recognising informality and valuing local knowledge can shift justice from discourse to practice. Through contributions from academics and civil society practitioners, the session explores participation gaps, governance constraints, and knowledge hierarchies that limit equitable climate action. It also highlights community‑led and co‑produced initiatives that demonstrate alternative pathways for institutional transformation. Designed as an Insight‑to‑Impact dialogue, the session will offer policymakers, practitioners, and scholars actionable strategies for embedding justice into governance instruments, planning processes, and financing mechanisms.