On 29 July 2024, workshop on ‘Advancing Climate Action: Implementation Strategies and Lessons Learned’ was organised by Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) South Asia’s Technical Coordinator, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, South Asia. The workshop was supported by GCoM South Asia, funded by the European Union, and the Capacity Building Project on Low Carbon and Climate Resilient City Development in India project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) (GCoM SA Technical Partner) and the All India Institute of Local Self-Government (AIILSG) (GCoM SA Network and Governance Coordinator) were also key supporters.

Commissioners, municipal engineers, administrative officials, town planners, and technical officers from Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Leh, Mumbai, Kakinada, Pune, Udaipur, and Ahmedabad enriched the discussions by sharing solutions, knowledge, and challenges related to climate action planning in their respective cities. The workshop also received insights from think tanks, climate finance experts, and other key stakeholders on opportunities to accelerate the implementation of climate action plans.

Partner organisations such as GCoM, NIUA, AIILSG, WRI India, CDP, and Climate Group shared implementation strategies, learnings, and best practices on effective climate action plan implementation.

Key strategies moving forward include:

• Strengthening Climate Mainstreaming: Integrate climate goals throughout urban planning

• Enhancing Citizen Awareness: Foster a shared sense of responsibility among residents

• Effective Implementation: Implement robust monitoring and evaluation

• Leveraging Technology and Innovation: Employ new solutions for sustainable development

• Sharing Knowledge and Best Practices: Promote collaboration and learning among cities.