This November, local leaders from across the United States joined mayors, youth, and partners from around the world in Rio de Janeiro for the C40 World Mayors Summit and the COP30 Local Leaders Forum. Every story, side conversation, and session carried a message of hope: local governments are turning ambition into results, and that collaboration is how we move forward.
Stories of Leadership and Achievements
Across three full days, mayors and municipal leaders showed what it looks like when local governments roll up their sleeves and get to work. From rural towns to big metros, U.S. elected officials shared how they’re cutting emissions, protecting residents, and improving daily life.
“Attending the C40 World Mayors Summit and COP30 Local Leaders Forum is about centering equity while driving green innovation. Local governments and businesses must lead together, advancing sustainable infrastructure that creates jobs, strengthens our economy, and ensures every community shares in the opportunities of a cleaner, more resilient future.” — Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen, Coral Springs, Florida, and ICLEI USA Board Member
Over the past year, Coral Springs has been putting its Sustainability Action Plan into action, showing what it looks like when a city prioritizes resilience and green innovation. From city operations to community programs, local leaders are reducing emissions, strengthening infrastructure, and creating opportunities for all residents.
Image of Sustainable Coral Springs Plan. Photo Credit: The City of Coral Springs, FL.
“As mayors, we’re closest to the people—we see climate change affecting our communities in real time. For me, this isn’t abstract policy; it’s about my two young daughters and the world they’ll inherit. The time to act is now, and cities like Beaverton are leading that charge.”
— Mayor Lacey Beaty, Beaverton, Oregon
In Beaverton, a hydropower turbine built into the city’s drinking water system now generates clean energy and lowers costs for residents.
Bridgeport, Connecticut, is taking on its industrial past with a waterfront transformation that replaces a retired coal plant with clean energy, public access, and new housing.
“Bridgeport shows what’s possible when cities lead on sustainability. By transforming former industrial land, we are strategically creating clean, resilient waterfront, while creating housing, jobs, and renewable energy that protect our city and its coastlines. This summit exemplifies how local action drives global impact and sustainability fuels opportunity for every community.”
— Mayor Joseph P. Ganim, Bridgeport, Connecticut
In Louisiana, Mayor Katrina Evans is tackling Campti’s aging water system to make sure every resident has consistent, safe water — powered by new technology and renewable energy.
“Climate action demands leadership, collaboration, and courage—and I’m committed to ensuring that our community is part of the global solution.”
And in Columbia, Missouri, Mayor and ICLEI Regional Executive Committee Member Barbara Buffaloe shared how the City’s Show Me the Relief is supporting tree planting in heat-vulnerable neighborhoods and lowering household energy costs.
“COP30 is about implementation—showing how cities are delivering real results. In Columbia, our climate work is grounded in partnership. When residents, local organizations, and governments work together, we not only meet our goals, we build communities that are more connected, equitable, and resilient for generations to come.”
Show Me The Relief Logo. Image Credit: The City of Columbia, Missouri.
From Helena, Montana, to Dumfries, Virginia, local leaders are showing that real implementation happens at the local level — and that progress is already underway.
HEAR MORE FROM LOCAL LEADERS AND THEIR COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Shared Purpose and Local Diplomacy
“Momentum is built by people who refuse to turn away from the work, even when the path is hard.”
— Saharnaz Mirzazad, Executive Director, ICLEI USA
That spirit ran through every conversation in Rio. Whether in plenaries or hallway meetups, the feeling was clear: local leadership is global impact.
At the COP30 Local Leaders Forum, mayors from the African American Mayors Association connected with peers from the ICLEI Africa network, building friendships and sharing lessons between communities that have much in common — shared histories, shared challenges, and a shared belief that collaboration creates change.
Mayors from the African American Mayors Association connected with peers from the ICLEI Africa network.
Voices of Resilience
During the C40 North American dialogue at the World Mayors Summit, Mayor Lock Dawson shared how the City of Riverside, with ICLEI USA’s support, hosted its first Climate Action Town Hall COP, bringing together youth, businesses, and residents to shape climate action that reflects local needs.
“In Riverside, extreme heat and poor air quality aren’t an inconvenience, they’re public health crises. Our children, seniors, and most vulnerable feel it most. Local climate action means acting today, not tomorrow, to build a more resilient, healthy, and equitable future for our community.”
— Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson, Riverside, California, and ICLEI USA Board Member
Mayor Lock Dawson speaking at the C40 North American dialogue during the World Mayors Summit.
Riverside, with ICLEI USA’s support, hosted North America’s first Climate Action Town Hall COP, bringing together youth, businesses, and residents to shape climate action that reflects local needs.
ICLEI USA mayors featured in C40’s story, Mayors Lead the Way on a Climate Just Transition for Cities — including Kirk Preston Watson (Austin), Kate Gallego (Phoenix), Regina Romero (Tucson), Barbara Buffaloe (Columbia), Ted Wheeler (Portland), and Alex Richardson (Long Beach) — showed what determination looks like. From Phoenix’s heat-response planning to Tucson’s free public transit, these leaders reminded the world that cities don’t wait for permission to act. They get the work done.
From left to right: Mayor Kirk Preston Watson (Austin, TX), Mayor Barbara Buffaloe (Columbia, MO), Mayor Regina Romero (Tucson, AZ), Mayor Alex Richardson (Long Beach, CA), Mayor Ted Wheeler (Portland, OR), Mayor Kate Gallego (Phoenix, AZ), and Gina McCarthy, Managing Co‑Chair of America Is All In.
Views, Conversations, and Connections
After days of full schedules, ICLEI USA members and partners gathered high above Rio for an evening of reflection at Sugarloaf Mountain. The view stretched from the city to the sea — a perfect setting to celebrate how far local leadership has come.
ICLEI USA members and partners gathered together with Sugarloaf Mountain behind them.
Saharnaz Mirzazad, Gino Van Begin, and ICLEI USA board members joined mayors Jeni Arndt (Fort Collins), Patricia Lock Dawson (Riverside), Barbara Buffaloe (Columbia), Wilmot Collins (Helena), and Derrick Rainey (Wrightsville) for a night filled with connection and gratitude.
“When communities of local governments gather to share experiences and learn from each other, it helps promote and advance the work we are all implementing.”
— Mayor Jeni Arndt, Fort Collins, Colorado, and ICLEI USA Board Member
It was a simple but powerful reminder: the ICLEI community is stronger together — and hope grows when people meet face to face.
Gino Van Begin, Secretary General at ICLEI, welcomed ICLEI USA members and partners during a closing dinner to the C40 World Mayors Summit and the COP30 Local Leaders Forum.
Looking Ahead: From Rio to Belém
Now the focus shifts to Belém, where COP30 continues through November 21. ICLEI USA staff and our members are on the ground, helping elevate subnational voices and showing that cities are key to achieving global goals.
Back home, that same momentum is driving new partnerships. ICLEI USA recently launched the Capital Cities Collaborative, bringing together more than twenty U.S. state capitals to advance sustainable building and transportation policy. Supported by the Esther A. and Joseph Klingenstein Fund, the Collaborative will help cities cut energy costs, expand electric vehicle infrastructure, and improve air quality.
Read More About Capital Cities Collaborative
And this month, we’re proud to welcome Ambassador Nina Hachigian — former U.S. Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy — as Senior Advisor for Local Diplomacy. Her leadership will help strengthen connections among U.S. cities and expand opportunities for international collaboration.
Read Our Press Release Welcoming Ambassador Hachigian
The work ahead is ambitious, but the message from Rio still rings true: hope is not passive. It’s the result of people doing the work, sharing what works, and standing together to deliver on promises made at home.
As COP30 continues, ICLEI USA will keep lifting local voices that move the world forward — one community at a time.
Because when cities share solutions, they make a difference. Together, they build the future.