Racing to Zero

I continue to marvel at the heart, soul, and collective impact of the ICLEI network. In 2021, we increased the engagement of elected officials and delivered results in the Race to Zero - launched circular economy support, a significant update to GHG protocols, and enhanced relationships with partners in nature, equity, and decarbonization.

I'm excited about the value our team delivers, evident strong membership retention, and the ambition of local and state governments. We have much to do and great opportunities in 2022. Thank you - let's keep going!

Leading up to and following COP26, it was clear that our focus must include both long-term zero carbon goals (by 2040 or 2050) and equally important is the need for short-term goals (2030) that outline  Science-Based Targets (SBTs)  reductions. With this in mind, we were pleased to release our working paper on the "Analysis of U.S. Local Government Science-Based Targets and Pathways to Achieve Them in the Race to Zero."

This paper discusses our team's analysis, findings, and recommendations to highlight local governments' needed greenhouse gas emissions reduction. We illustrate the realistic pathways to achieve those reductions, generate discussion and critical feedback, and influence the ongoing advancement of emerging policies and programs.

The Race to Zero working paper found that under a realistic and ambitious set of assumptions, most U.S. local communities can reduce per-capita emissions by 63% or more by 2030, aligning with SBTs intended to maintain global warming to 1.5 °C. Read the  full working paper here. 

Biden 100 Day PlanSince its inception, ICLEI has led local governments in multilevel action on climate. ICLEI USA leaders' recommendations for the first 100 Days of the Biden-Harris administration include global collaboration and domestic leadership, several of which the administration swiftly accomplished.  Learn more. 

Alongside President Biden's Earth Day U.S. Climate Summit, ICLEI150 signatories, Deputy Special Envoy for Climate, Dr. Jonathan Pershing, Brenda Mallory, Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, and Colorado Governor Jared Polis shared their renewed commitments and ongoing actions to the Paris Climate Agreement as well as the support of the U.S. 2nd Nationally Determined Contribution. Themes included climate finance, nature-based solutions, and youth engagement. Watch the  Race to Zero with ICLEI150 Leaders webinar  to learn more.

The U.N.'s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a blueprint for a thriving planet where no one is left behind. In 2021, ICLEI members adopted the SDGs as their call for inclusive action for 2030. The work centered around two projects: An 8-community  SDGs Cities Challenge  leadership-and-learning cohort to "localize" the Global Goals and producing the  City of Orlando's first "Voluntary Local Review"  of the City's contributions to the SDGs.

Local governments are now enshrined in the Paris Agreement, in a critical win for ICLEI's advocacy work at COP26. By flexing our unique role as the focal organization for Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) constituency group to the United Nations, we guaranteed that local elected voices were heard loud and clear throughout the halls of the climate conference venue in Glasgow.

In stand-out moments, we ensured:

• "Multilevel action" is included in the Paris Agreement text.
• ICLEI leaders told U.S. National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy directly that cities need federal support—and know how to put it work.
• Justice, nature, health, and circularity are not left out of climate action.

Read  ICLEI USA's key COP26 takeaways  and  hear from our COP26 delegation .

 If a chemical plant were leaking toxic fumes, local officials would take immediate action to address the emergency. Should we expect a similar response to the climate emergency? The topic of new city governance structures and the challenge to keep this heightened level of engagement was the primary theme for  Daring Cities 2021 . ICLEI USA leaders, including Mayor Ravi Bhalla of Hoboken and Mayor Taylor of Ann Arbor, highlighted the transformational changes required and the opportunity to collaborate in a collective effort no matter the size or capacity of your hometown.

Nature had its moment during COP26, the U.N. climate conference, when Maui County, Hawai'i, and Concord, New Hampshire, declared their support for biodiversity. These signatories to the Edinburgh Declaration—the local-government pledge for involvement in the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity—coincided with ten U.S. communities joining the UN-endorsed CitiesWithNature platform in 2021, including  New York City becoming the 200th City to join. 

“Concord residents and city leaders recognize the critical role that biodiversity plays in a healthy and sustainable future for our citizens and the wider world."

- Councilmember Rob Werner, Concord, New Hampshire