Governance IV: Innovative Solutions

Innovative Collaborations for Local Climate Action

The search for innovative solutions that address contemporary climate related challenges brings together unexpected allies: start-ups or NGOs with local government or administration. Such partnerships for climate innovation do not evolve naturally, given their often very divergent modes of operation. Digital technology such as smart city solutions have tremendous potential to contribute to effective climate action. This cluster session reflects on these two important and intertwined topics around innovative solutions for climate action. Case studies will be the basis for practical reflection and discussion. It will develop recommendations on how to integrate the ‘cutting-edge’ potential of start-ups and digital solutions into local climate action. By partnering and cooperating with entities developing such solutions, local actors can play an increasingly active role empowering national governments to meet their National Determined Contributions and increase their ambitions. Deepening these experiences in collaboration with other subnational actors and national governments helps to implement innovative solutions and to make more ambitious national contributions to climate action.