The Class
Local Climate Action: Cities are major contributors to climate change, accounting for over 70% of global greenhouse emissions. Many are already facing the harshest impacts, from frequent heatwaves to devastating floods. But cities are also vibrant arenas for creativity, culture and collective power. Around the world, local leaders and citizens are reimagining and reshaping urban life, driving inclusive climate action from the ground up, with, by, and for their communities. From art and storytelling to grassroots innovation, local communities are combining tools, knowledge and experience, creating coalitions and driving real change toward a more resilient, sustainable urban future. At COP30, dedicated days, hubs and sessions will explore how local climate action can accelerate global goals, connecting efforts from global to national, subnational and local agendas, ensuring no one is left behind.
The Teacher
Dr. Andrea Ramirez Agudelo, PhD, is a senior researcher at the United Nations University's Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), in Bonn, Germany. She is part of the Urban Futures and Transformation for Sustainability (FAST) division, where she leads the capacity building component of the Transformative Urban Coalitions (TUC) project, funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI). Her work at TUC focuses on the design and implementation of capacity building strategies for inclusive climate action in cities in Mexico, Brazil and Argentina, promoting participatory and social justice approaches.
Dr. Flávia Guerra is a researcher and trainer in the field of climate change, with an international background in urban sustainability, energy policies and collaborative governance. She is currently part of the team at the United Nations University – Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), in Bonn, Germany, where she leads research and training projects in climate change mitigation and adaptation, urban transformation and community engagement. She holds a PhD in Energy Law and Policy from the University of Hull (UK), a Master's degree in Ecology and Environmental Management and a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Lisbon.
When & Wher
31 October 2025 at 3 pm (CET)
Video conference Zoom
Additional Resources
- (TUC) projectTransformative Urban Coalitions