Paris Agreement

The adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015 marked a new chapter for international cooperation on climate. All member states are bound to the agreement under international law. The agreement not only entails measures aimed at cutting back emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change but also addresses climate financing, technology transfer, capacity building at the individual, organisational and societal levels, and mechanisms for ensuring transparency.

For the very first time, all member states that ratified the agreement have been required, without exception, to formulate a nationally determined contribution (NDC) and to submit regular reports in accordance with a newly developed transparency mechanism.

Another cornerstone of the Paris Agreement is a mechanism geared to narrowing the ambition gap. This gap refers to the difference in the global rise in temperatures currently targeted by individual nations in their NDCs and the United Nations’ long-term goal of limiting this rise to well below 2°C or even to under 1.5°C, if possible. In order to close this ambition gap, all states have been called upon to enhance their NDCs every five years. (Source: GIZ, https://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/57478.html)

Strategic Partnerships for the implementation of the Paris Agreement (SPIPA)

Recognising that international effort is required the European Commission, through its Strategic Partnerships for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement (SPIPA) program, has identified critical projects targeting G20 economies. SPIPA strengthens the capacities of partner countries to successfully implement climate policy, reduce greenhouse gases and increase adaptive capacity, and thus helps them to contribute to achieving the long-term objective of the Paris Agreement.

AUSTRALIAN Consultation on the Global Covenant of Mayors framework for local government climate action

In Australia more formally recognising the significant roles of city and local government are playing in achieving national and state climate obligations, has been identified as a priority. The National Consultation on the Global Covenant of Mayors framework for local government climate action in Australia is the resulting arrangement between the European Commission and ICLEI Oceania as the GCoM Oceania regional lead partner.

NATIONAL CONSULTATION PROJECT

Climate and clean energy action at the local council level in Australia is not mentioned in Australia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), but local action is ambitious and gaining momentum. There is as yet no encompassing pan-Australian framework to link these initiatives to the international climate action framework or to compile and measure what the common effort from Australian local government can contribute.

The project will examine leading practice in local governments in Australia and internationally, and its relevance to the Australian context, the relevant factors of national and sub-national policy and programs that aid local government to implement climate action contributing to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Program objectiveS

The objective is to build support nationally and from all levels of government and partner organisations, to support the GCoM as an effective framework for local government climate action in Australia. The project will support national and sub-national government consultation processes on the use of the Global Covenant of Mayors framework and related programs for local level climate action.

A further objective is to explore the synergies with other established and emerging local climate initiatives and examine supportive arrangements and future partnerships with all governments and other groups. This will benefit local governments seeking increased engagement in a robust, clearly understood and well-supported national approach and mobilise new cities to take action.   

outcomes

• Comprehensive climate policy research paper focused on local government contribution to Paris Climate Agreement and National and sub-national approaches

• Analysis of the GCoM framework, current participation and identification of issues and opportunities

• Assessing the possible alignment of the GCoM framework with national and sub-national government climate policy

• Assessing local government contribution to Sustainable Development Goals commitments

• Synthesising and sharing leading practice in local government on climate change outcomes

• Assessing strengths and weaknesses of related programs and relevance to GCoM framework

• Assessing relevant international program examples for possible application in Oceania

• Delivery of national roundtable events with key stakeholders, relevant Government departments and political interests

• State-by-state and stakeholder consultation and other briefings

• Scan and assessment of applicability of tools and resources from European Union and other international programs

• Report on roles and responsibilities for local action with identified future partners and program directions

The contents of this web page was produced with the financial support of the European Union in the frame of the Strategic Partnerships for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement (SPIPA) programme. The contents of this page are the sole responsibility of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

The programme Strategic Partnerships for the Implementation of the Paris Agreement (SPIPA) is jointly commissioned by the European Commission as a Foreign Policy Instrument Action and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety in the context of the International Climate Initiative (IKI). SPIPA is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.