Planning climate action in cities and regions: Towards carbon neutral and resilient territories in the face of climate change

This guide seeks to empower regional and municipal leaders to act decisively in the fight against climate change, promote coordination across different levels of government, and identify the transformations needed for a carbon neutral and resilient future and the climate actions required to implement these changes, overcome barriers, and inspire communities. This document was developed based on workshops with key stakeholders at the national, regional, and municipal levels, in addition to a literature review and context analysis of the experiences in the region.

Examples of climate actions suggested in this guide include planting native tree species in urban areas, reusing greywater, installing low-emission air conditioners for cooling and heating, developing exclusive bus lanes, restoring forests and wetlands, and establishing recycling collection centers. To support this climate action, the guide also identifies the keys to successful implementation, proposing a roadmap and providing a set of cross-cutting tools, such as possible financing options, administrative instruments, and an analysis of the legal competencies of municipal and regional governments. Finally, recommendations to promote climate actions are provided, which can be incorporated into municipal and regional climate change action plans.