Cities and Regions Talanoa Dialogues: Leveraging Subnational Action to Raise Climate Ambition

The word “Talanoa” itself refers to a style of dialogue practiced in Fiji and the Pacific, which fosters openness and inclusion. Although the hosts, formats and objectives of different Talanoa Dialogues may vary, this spirit is a fundamental part of the process. The Cities and Regions Talanoa Dialogues are organized around three essential questions:

1. WHERE ARE WE?

Participants review national and subnational commitments and actions. The core of this dialogue is to review the current NDC and provide an up-to-date overview of how much progress has been achieved by all levels of government. Participants then examine whether sustainable urban development is adequately reflected in national climate policy, and consider recent highlights and obstacles in their climate adaptation efforts. Climate action, targets and commitments by local and regional governments are provided by relevant global platforms such as the carbonn Climate Registry.

2. WHERE DO WE WANT TO GO?

Participants identify their possible link to climate action, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and national urban development policy. They considered how to strengthen NDCs by integrating commitments and actions by subnational governments, as well as how inter-sectoral collaboration and coordination could support the implementation of NDCs. Participants are encouraged to involve stakeholders from beyond the traditional authorities, including: development banks, youth organizations, universities, private investors, development agencies and corporations, international organizations and network associations.

3. HOW DO WE GET THERE?

Participants explore how national and subnational governments and climate stakeholders can work together to mobilize technical and financial resources, and develop enabling policies to deliver on and strengthen the NDCs. They propose potential models for collaboration across different levels and functions of government, for example through new institutional mechanisms or structures. ICLEI collects answers developed at each dialogue, and, in our role as focal point of the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency, we use these outcomes to advance our advocacy efforts. Further, ICLEI synthesizes these submissions into an input into the global Talanoa Dialogues organized by United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This way, the Cities and Regions Talanoa Dialogues feed into international negotiations.