Transitioning to a low-carbon society requires work and input on all levels; globally, as well as on national, regional and local levels. No country, no city and no business can ‘go it alone’. Also, with time running out, top-down and bottom-up processes have to happen simultaneously: businesses need to share how their operations can be transformed into zero-emissions operations, and governments need to set policies, provide financial stimuli and other support to the public and private sector.
While the UNFCCC and the IPCC provide the platforms for governments to coordinate their efforts, a large number of climate change networks aiming at different target groups have emerged to support with research and advice and to allow an easy dialogue and sharing of ideas between stakeholders facing similar challenges.
Key climate action organisations and networks include:
Central banks
NGFS
Established in December 2017, the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System helps to enhance the role of the financial system to manage risks and to mobilise capital for green and low-carbon investments.
Businesses
The UN Global Compact
The United Nations Global Compact supports companies that are committed to responsible business practices and promotes activities that contribute to the sustainable development goals. It has more than 8,000 business and 4,000 non-business members worldwide.
UKCIP
The UK Climate Impacts programme is the key UK organisation providing research and consultancy free of charge for organisations, businesses and whole sectors to help them adapt to the changing climate.
Climate Knowledge and Innovation Community (Climate-KIC)
Supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, Climate-KIC brings together over 370 global partners from business, academia, the public and non-profit sectors to innovate and bring to market products, services and systems that help mitigate climate change.
The Climate Group
The Climate Group brings together networks of businesses and governments and acts as a catalyst to take innovation and solutions to scale.
Cities, local governments and NGOs
Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy
The largest global alliance for cities taking climate action, it brings together over 10,000 cities and local governments sharing action plans and expertise. Global Covenant of Mayors
C40 Cities
C40 is a network of the world’s 94 megacities committed to addressing climate change by collaborating effectively, sharing knowledge and drive sustainable action.
The Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI)
ICLEI brings together more than 1,750 local and regional governments across the globe committed to sustainable urban development.
Climate Action Network (CAN)
CAN is a worldwide network of over 1,300 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in over 120 countries working to promote government and individual action to combat climate change.