Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) are negotiated at the international level, but their implementation depends on action taken at the local and subnational levels – where more than 70% of climate solutions lie within the jurisdiction of local and regional governments (LRGs). Yet LRG participation in MEA processes remains fragmented, constrained by limited upstream access to negotiations, complex procedural requirements, and inadequate access to climate finance.

The convergence of the three Rio Convention COPs in 2026, UNFCCC (Paris Agreement), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), creates a pivotal moment to examine the evolving role of LRGs as key actors in translating global environmental commitments into tangible urban and territorial outcomes.

UNEP and the IHS of Erasmus University Rotterdam have developed a Working Paper that maps and analyses LRG engagement across the three Rio Conventions, grounded in 25 semi-structured expert interviews and a systematic review of mechanisms. It presents the paper’s key findings and situates them within the broader conference theme of co-production and climate futures.

With the Pilot Project for International Climate Finance Zurich (PIKZ), the City of Zurich is taking an innovative step to expand its role in global climate action. Backed by a dedicated five-year funding commitment, PIKZ channels targeted support into high-impact climate projects in vulnerable regions, helping to address the global climate finance gap while demonstrating how cities can act beyond their own boundaries.

Focusing on climate mitigation, adaptation, and responses to loss and damage, PIKZ promotes locally anchored solutions that create lasting impact and advance sustainable development. As both a practical initiative and a forward-looking model, it highlights the growing potential of cities to drive collaborative, international climate action—and invites others to explore how local leadership can contribute to global change.