13 – Climate action
Unlocking climate finance for local governments in sub-Saharan Africa
Analytical foundations for a practitioner toolbox Local governments in sub-Saharan Africa are at the forefront of climate change impacts, yet remain significantly under-resourced to respond effectively. This working paper presents analytical insights, case-based evidence, and governance lessons on climate finance for local governments in Sub-Saharan Africa. It draws on literature, comparative cases, and ICLD facilitated…
Transversal Working for Democratic Action
This toolkit grows out of the work of the ICLD Climate Action Network, where African and Swedish municipalities partnered through the ICLD Municipal Partnership Programme, to implement local climate change projects. Across the network, municipalities used these climate projects as practical entry points to strengthen democratic practice, deliberately integrating participation, equity, transparency, and accountability into…
Just Transition in Plastic Governance
Guide for local and national decision-makers This brief provides practical guidance for authorities seeking to improve plastic regulation and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) implementation. Based on evidence from Mombasa, Kenya, it shows how governance arrangements that engage waste pickers can reduce plastic leakage, improve environmental and health outcomes, and strengthen the cost-effectiveness of public action,…
Brand Audits
A tool for local governments to foster a just and plastic-free transition County governments carry the costs of plastic pollution but lack the tools to enforce producer accountability. Brand audits provide a cost-effective, citizen-led method to support EPR enforcement. Participatory audits strengthen local democracy, transparency, and inclusion of waste pickers. Institutionalizing brand audits can advance…
Partnership and governance for health and resilience
The ICLD partnership between Homa Bay County and Region Västerbotten has been a driving force behind the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on partnership and governance for health and resilience in relation to climate and the environment in the Kenyan Lake Region. The MoU has been signed by Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, and Busia…
Women, indigenous knowledge and climate resilience in focus amongst our Fieldwork Grant recipients
We are happy to share our most recent group of Fieldwork Grant participants here at ICLD! This year, 9 brilliant students presented their research on highly topical subjects for both our organization, the general state of the world and local democracy. Each of them had a unique perspective on pressing issues globally, and the execution…
Climate Resilience and Migration among Maasai Pastoralists in Laikipia County, Kenya
This study investigates climate resilience and migration among Maasai pastoralists in Laikipia County, Kenya, addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change to ecosystem-dependent livelihoods. Despite growing interest, qualitative studies linking climate impacts to human mobility outcomes among pastoralist communities remain limited. Drawing on climate resilience theory and climate-induced mobility concepts, the research used qualitative…
Just energy transitions as a path towards fair and place-based fossil fuel phase-outs?
Given the need to mitigate adverse impacts of fossil fuel phase-outs, this thesis investigates whether just energy transitions lead to inclusive and place-based outcomes, focusing on the Just Energy Transition (JET) in South Africa. Using a political economy and procedural justice lens, and drawing on interviews with key stakeholders, the study explores the inclusivity of…
Strängnäs and Entebbe, Uganda
Project: Together for the influence for our young and old to improve based on climate change Strängnäs Municipality and its partner Entebbe Municipal Council in Uganda are planning a one-year project to strengthen youth participation in environmental and climate decision-making. The project will empower young people, to actively contribute to local environmental strategies through community engagement, clean-up…
Our Childhood: A toolbox for local governments fostering child/youth inclusion
Our Childhood toolbox aims to support local governments in their attempts to sensitise and include children and youth in local (political) affairs while pursuing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The toolbox enables long-terms, cross-sectoral collaborations for inclusion of children and youth in localising SDGs. It offers support to local governments and engaged practitioners in…
