International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI, originally International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) is an international non-governmental organization that promotes sustainable development. ICLEI provides technical consulting to local governments to identify and meet sustainability objectives.[2][3][4]
It has a strong focus on biodiversity and has worked across local, national, and global levels.[5]
ICLEI was the first and is the largest transnational network of local governments engaging in climate action.[6]
ICLEI is considered a bridging organization,[7] playing important roles in knowledge sharing[8] and in intermediation processes between local initiatives and regulatory actors.[7] It has recognized the significance of cities for urban sustainability and helped to support their activities for over three decades.[5][9][10][11]
The international association was established when more than 200 local governments from 43 countries convened at its inaugural conference, the World Congress of Local Governments for a Sustainable Future, at the United Nations in New York in September 1990.[12]
As of 2020, more than 1,750 cities, towns, counties, and their associations in 126 countries are a part of the ICLEI network.[13]
As of 2023, over 2,500 cities towns and regions were listed as members.[14]