Our changing world

19/06/2024, 11:30 - 12:45

We are living in times of rapidly accelerating technological change and economic uncertainty, as the world is plagued by two dangerous crises: climate and conflict. These crises exacerbate the challenges that our cities, towns and regions already face worldwide, further complicating the work that local and regional governments already have in advancing sustainability efforts in their communities.

Our cities, towns, regions and communities must already plan for and adapt to a future beyond 1.5°C. Our expert keynote addressed what this means, what challenges this poses, and what opportunities it unlocks as well for local and regional governments.

In response, ICLEI leaders from around the world shared how they have been able to advance local sustainable development in spite of – or in response to – our changing world, and how they are preparing their communities for a new climate normal.

Finally, we heard from ICLEI Members here in Brazil on their efforts to adapt their communities to this new climate normal in a just and equitable way.

Speakers

Axel Schmidt Grael, Mayor, City of Niteroí, Brazil; ICLEI Global Executive Committee Member
Gino Van Begin, Secretary General, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
HY William Chan, Councillor, City of Sydney, Australia; ICLEI Global Executive Committee Member; Oceania Regional Portfolio
Jeni Arndt,Mayor, Fort Collins, United States; ICLEI Global Executive Committee Member; North America Regional Portfolio
Jeremy Eppel, Senior Advisor, NatureFinance
Jorge Alejandro Aldana Bardales, Mayor, Tegucigalpa, Central District, Honduras, ICLEI Global Executive Committee Member; Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean Regional Portfolio
José Renato Nalini, Executive Secretary Climate Change, City of São Paulo, Brazil
Kobie Brand, Deputy Secretary General, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
Marjorie Kauffmann, Secretary of State for Environment and Infrastructure, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; ICLEI Global Executive Committee Member (video message)
Renato Casagrande, Governor, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil
Rodrigo Perpetuo, Regional Director, ICLEI South America Secretariat
Romeu Zema Neto, Governor, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Smt. Naynaben Pedhadiya, Mayor, Rajkot Municipal Corporation, India; ICLEI Global Executive Committee Member; South Asia Regional Portfolio

Moderator

Kobie Brand, Deputy Secretary General, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
Rodrigo Perpetuo, Regional Executive Secretary, ICLEI South America Secretariat

Session flow

Welcome & introduction

Gino Van Begin, Secretary General, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability

Keynote: Preparing our cities, towns and regions for a future beyond 1.5°C

Jeremy Eppel, Senior Advisor, NatureFinance

Leaders dialogue: Preparing our cities, towns and communities for a new climate normal

HY William Chan, Councillor, City of Sydney, Australia; ICLEI Global Executive Committee Member; Oceania Regional Portfolio
Naynaben Pedhadiya, Mayor, Rajkot Municipal Corporation, India; ICLEI Global Executive Committee Member; South Asia Regional Portfolio
Jeni Arndt, Mayor, Fort Collins, United States; ICLEI Global Executive Committee Member; North America Regional Portfolio
Jorge Alejandro Aldana Bardales, Mayor, Tegucigalpa, Central District, Honduras; ICLEI Global Executive Committee Member; Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean Regional Portfolio

Moderator: Kobie Brand, Deputy Secretary General, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability

Country in focus: Climate justice and adaptation in Brazil

Marjorie Kauffmann, Secretary of State for Environment and Infrastructure, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; ICLEI Global Executive Committee Member
Axel Schmidt Grael, Mayor, City of Niteroí, Brazil; ICLEI Global Executive Committee Member
Renato Casagrande, Governor, State of Espírito Santo, Brazil
Romeu Zema Neto, Governor, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
José Renato Nalini, Executive Secretary Climate Change, City of São Paulo, Brazil

Moderator: Rodrigo Perpetuo, Regional Director, ICLEI South America Secretariat

Wrap up