ICLEI: Urban-LEDS project

With the increased demand for energy and other services in urban areas driven by rapid population growth, human activities are a growing proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate challenge. We need global action that will substantially contribute to the Paris Agreement climate targets, to stay well below 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Urban-LEDS II project helps local governments to implement integrated low emission and resilient development by offering guidance, tools, and technical assistance; mobilizing cities to commit to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM); exploring access to financing; and supporting multilevel governance. The project will also support the improvement of effective monitoring and reporting systems through an integrated MRV (Measuring, Reporting, and Verifying) process, vital to tracking progress and accelerating climate action within cities. Local governments’ planning and implementation of climate action will not only lead to regional benefits, but will also support national climate action plans that effectively contribute to global climate change mitigation and adaptation, and also provide access to secure, affordable, and sustainable energy.

Activity period 2012–present
Last CoAct update 2023
Web URL https://urban-leds.org/
Output effectiveness
0.51
Accountability Index
0.71
Inclusiveness Index
0.38
Num. actors 70
Functions Knowledge production, Knowledge dissemination, Technical implementation, Standards and norms, Participatory management, Training, Policy planning
SDGs 3 7 9 11 13 17
Themes human settlements
Policy focus Equal focus
Sectors No clear economic sector
Implementation countries Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Lao People's Democratic Republic (the), Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Rwanda, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain
Target Target type
12mt CO2eq of reduction targeted Emission reduction target
In phase II, as an expansion to Urban-LEDS, with local governments joining the project in 4 new countries: Bangladesh, Colombia, Lao PDR, and Rwanda People/countries affected target