World leaders arrive in Egypt this week for the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP27, amid a year of record-setting heat, floods and other extreme weather. And with new data showing 96 percent of the world’s population is living through unprecedented temperatures, no place is spared.
Faced with “climate carnage” in Pakistan, geopolitical crisis and rampant global inflation, COP27 will be tackling difficult challenges on all fronts — from slashing emissions and financing solutions to compensating the most vulnerable nations for loss and damage.
If we are to stave off ever-worsening climate impact, everything points to the need for immediate and radically faster action. But to do this, we need to empower the groups best positioned to lead the way: cities, businesses and other local organizations — our subnational actors.