In May 2022, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) released two new agendas for cities and climate change science as critical outcomes of the Innovate4Cities 2021 Conference. The first one of these, an updated Global Research Action Agenda on Cities and Climate Change Science (GRAA), draws on hundreds of presentations and discussions held under key topical and cross-cutting themes. Alongside this, a renewed City Research and Innovation Agenda (CRIA) is a response for city practice and city leadership to the updated GRAA. Together, these identify and tackle the data, information, and technology gaps that cities have prioritised. If addressed, they would drive science-based, technology-driven, replicable, sustainable action and implementation at the scale the world needs and the cities demand. The Global Covenant team will bring a research marketplace to UCLG World Congress that builds on this work.
Additionally, as the science of climate change continues to advance, and in recognition of COP27 and a likely focus on climate resilience and adaptation, we also look forward to supporting UCLG World Congress discussion overall on climate. Our work on climate finance through the City Climate Finance Gap Fund and in support of the Race to Zero and Race to Resilience will help to frame discussions in Daejon.
When joining the Cities Race to Resilience, Mayor Abigail Binay (GCoM Board Mayor from Makati, Philippines) said, “the nice thing about it is that it keeps you focused. It has a platform for signatories where resilience experts assess and review your city’s initiatives to ensure you are on target. It is a meaningful global collaboration between partners and fellow leaders.”
We look forward to engaging at the Congress with this collaborative spirit.
