Building Global Science through partnerships for Urban Climate Action Implementation

​The IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities (SR Cities) offers an opportunity to examine both the latest urban climate science and the collaborative process behind global scientific assessments.  Its foundation rests on years of collaboration, from the 2018 IPCC Cities Conference to subsequent Innovate4Cities Conferences co-convened  by the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM) and UN-Habitat, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners worldwide.

​Ahead of its expected presentation for plenary approval in March 2027, SR Cities demonstrates that global assessments are ultimately built by people, from Coordinating Lead Authors and Lead Authors to reviewers and Chapter Scientists. Inclusion is also key: the Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) programme supported six Global South Chapter Scientists and six Global South Coordinating Lead Authors with targeted funding, mentoring, and networking opportunities.

​Strategic partnerships have played an essential role in broadening participation, strengthening capacity, and directly connecting global scientific evidence with on-the-ground urban realities.

​This session uses the journey of the IPCC SR Cities, UNEP’s Limiting Overshoot Report, and the ongoing commitment of GCoM and UN-Habitat in co-convening the Innovate4Cities initiative as case studies to explore what it takes to build global climate knowledge through partnerships and connect international science with local implementation.