Join GreenClimateCities!

Analyze, Act, Accelerate toward climate neutrality

About the GreenClimateCities Program

The GreenClimateCities (GCC) program is ICLEI’s flagship approach to help local and regional governments take integrated, effective, and inclusive climate action. Built on over a decade of hands-on experience, the program empowers cities to plan, act, and accelerate their path toward climate neutrality using a practical, step-by-step process.

What the Program Offers

GreenClimateCities supports local and regional governments to:

  • Assess climate risks and greenhouse gas emissions
  • Set science-based climate targets that reflect their development priorities
  • Develop inclusive climate action plans that integrate mitigation and adaptation
  • Implement practical actions across sectors and pathways
  • Monitor, evaluate, and report progress to ensure transparency and learning

The program is grounded in ICLEI’s five development pathways: low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient, and circular. It helps cities embed climate action into urban systems in a way that supports sustainability, health, equity, and economic opportunity.

A Step-by-Step Approach

The GCC methodology follows a three-phase cycle:

  1. Analyze: Understand the local context, climate risks, emissions profile, and institutional capacity
  2. Act: Engage stakeholders, set targets, plan actions, and align resources
  3. Accelerate: Implement solutions, track progress, scale up efforts, and share results

ICLEI provides hands-on technical support, peer learning, planning tools, and access to finance mechanisms to guide cities through each stage. The approach is designed to be flexible and accessible for communities at any stage of climate action.

A Framework Built on Experience

The GreenClimateCities program was launched in 2015 and shaped by early learning from ICLEI’s Urban-LEDS project, which helped cities in emerging economies build low-emission development strategies. The need for a flexible yet structured approach led to the creation of GCC, which has since guided cities across all regions. In 2020, ICLEI introduced the Climate Neutrality Framework, which now serves as the foundation of the program, helping cities move toward zero emissions, resilience, and inclusive development.

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Global Reach, Local Results

The GreenClimateCities program has supported cities and regions around the world:

Today, more than 450 activities are being supported through the GCC program, with engagement from hundreds of cities that are taking bold and practical steps toward climate-neutral, resilient futures.

  • Thane, India integrated climate action into urban planning and improved air quality
  • Santa Rosa, Philippines developed a climate action plan that combined adaptation and mitigation goals
  • Fortaleza, Brazil used GCC tools to prioritize low-emission transport and energy solutions
  • Kisumu, Kenya built stronger institutional coordination and set a clear direction for local climate resilience

Join the Movement

The GreenClimateCities program is a trusted partner for cities and subnational governments ready to lead. Contact us to learn more about how to benefit from our expertise, networks, and visibility opportunities.

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