Cities as global actors: Enhancing urban leadership at G20

When countries negotiate climate action at high-profile international forums, local perspectives and leadership largely remain on the sidelines. According to UN predictions, by 2050, 75% of the world’s population would reside in urban areas. As a result, local leadership and governance will have an increasingly significant global impact, writes Rhea Srivastava, Research Associate, Transport and Urban Governance Division, TERI. As part of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a sustainable and resilient urban future is a global goal. It is time to move away from the traditional top-down governance approaches to a multi-lateral system which ensures that cities get a seat at the decision-making table.