Cities are the engines of growth, innovation, and progress, but they are also at the crossroads of a global challenge. They house over half of the world’s population and account for 80 percent of GDP while also generating 70 percent of global greenhouse gases. Monitoring and reducing these emissions are significant challenges for the climate change agenda, particularly in the Global South.

The tools to track, plan, and reduce emissions are not keeping pace; only 5 percent of cities are equipped with updated greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories. GHG inventories are essential for cities to accurately measure their emissions, improve climate policies, and set reduction targets. However, compiling these inventories is often a complex and resource-intensive task.

Forging the future: a multi-stakeholder collaboration for COP host cities

At COP28, Kearney, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and OpenEarth Foundation, convened a multi-stakeholder roundtable to discuss the opportunities for COP cities to lead the urban climate action. The roundtable gathered city leaders, industry innovators, and financial strategists and emphasized the role of COP host cities in climate action. The session highlighted the use of digital technologies to streamline GHG inventories and reduce emissions, particularly in the Global South. The UAE’s ambition to become a global climate tech hub was discussed, with plans to launch open-source digital pilot projects that could serve as a replicable model for future COP host cities. This strategy positions COP cities as leaders in sustainable innovation, aiming to provide a scalable model for global urban climate action.

Key outcomes: navigating the course for urban climate action

Five key themes anchored the roundtable participants’ collective vision for a future where cities are empowered to lead on global climate action, showcasing the critical interplay between technology, governance, and community involvement:

Kick-starting the journey with purpose-driven data collection. Data collection must be thought of as a strategic activity, more than just a step in the inventory process, which can generate impactful climate action levers and enable development of sophisticated digital solutions. The roundtable envisioned a journey, beginning with GHG inventories, that would serve as a launching pad for multiple climate action projects, manifesting the UAE’s leading role in the global climate technology.

Scalable pilot projects. Small-scale pilot projects, which can deliver a quick impact and clear return on investment, are crucial for success and attracting interest and financing. The roundtable emphasized that targeted interventions on key emissions sectors in the UAE can provide a template for subsequent host cities to replicate.

Utilization of existing technologies. Technology already exists to build robust and scalable climate action solutions. Leveraging available data analytics, artificial intelligence, and the latest versions of 5G technologies can support intelligent transport systems and digital twins, which can not only improve road safety, but also reduce CO2 emissions and improve traffic flows. The roundtable also emphasized the necessity for open-access technology so various stakeholders across UAE cities can participate in the projects.

Multisource financing. A multifaceted financing approach, tapping into a diverse pool of funds such as philanthropic resources, municipal financing, corporate social responsibility budgets, and COP-linked financing, will not only enhance financial resilience of such projects but also foster inclusive participation and ownership within communities.

Multilevel governance and community involvement. Effective governance is crucial for the success of any such projects. Focus should be on creating multilevel action mechanisms beyond government mandates with strong leadership support, clear incentives to encourage information sharing and collaboration, and active involvement of the broader community.

Strategic next steps

Finalizing the consortium (2024). OpenEarth Foundation and Kearney’s Center for a Sustainable Future invited engagement from entities committed to urban climate action to ensure the initiative’s adaptability and inclusiveness.

Securing funding (2024). Diverse funding avenues shall be explored, from local UAE sources, philanthropy, municipal operating budgets, and remaining COP budgets to academic research grants, thereby ensuring comprehensive support.

Conducting UAE pilot projects (2024–2025). Initiatives in Dubai and/or Abu Dhabi will demonstrate scalable, impactful climate action, driven by entities such as Masdar as well as local government entities, research institutions, and international climate technology partners. The pilot projects involve the following:

AI-enhanced GHG inventories
Data collection and transparency enhancement
GHG reduction project

Catalyzing a chain reaction for COP host cities. The project will expand globally, from COP29 in Baku to COP30 in Belem, aiming to create a domino effect of urban climate innovation, with COP28’s work serving as a foundation for a sustainable future driven by collaborative action and innovation.

Fostering global replication and learning. The UAE projects will craft a blueprint for action in cities beyond the COP ecosystem, aiming to replicate GHG inventory strategies and develop regenerative urban development approaches worldwide.