Subnational Pathways to Just Climate Action: From Research to Municipal Implementation in Brazil

Brazilian municipalities are at the frontline of climate impacts, yet often face institutional, technical, and political barriers to implementing ambitious and just climate policies. This session presents insights from the project “Subnational Climate Action Strategy for Low-Carbon Just Cities”, developed by the ZeroCem Institute with support from the Climate and Society Institute (iCS).Framed within a multilevel governance perspective, the session will demonstrate how research has been translated into practical tools, institutional strategies, and collaborative networks to strengthen municipal climate action in Brazil. We will share lessons on capacity-building, the use of climate and urban data systems, and coalition-building among federal actors, city leaders, civil society, and technical institutions. Through interactive dialogue and real-world examples, participants will explore how subnational strategies can accelerate equitable climate implementation. The session aims to connect evidence to action, offering transferable insights for cities worldwide seeking to align ambition, justice, and implementation at the local level.