ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, originally established in 1990 as the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, is a global association headquartered in Bonn, Germany. The organization was conceived at a United Nations congress in New York, uniting over 200 local governments from 43 countries. Its founding mission centered on coordinating local government responses to environmental challenges and has since expanded to broader aspects of sustainability, encompassing issues from climate and water to land use and urban planning.
Today, ICLEI’s network includes more than 2,500 local and regional governments in over 125 countries, reflecting its evolution into one of the world's largest coalitions at the intersection of local governance and sustainable development. ICLEI’s governance includes a Global Executive Committee composed of elected mayors and municipal officials, with its strategic planning process revisited every three years.
ICLEI’s activities range from developing tools for greenhouse gas measurement and sustainable procurement to organizing international conferences for knowledge sharing. The organization plays a pivotal role in global sustainability policy, advocating at forums such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and partnering with major global initiatives. Recent projects include supporting cities in zero-emission development, nature-based solutions, and circular economy implementation.
Through its blend of advocacy, technical assistance, and peer exchange, ICLEI enables cities and regions worldwide to address rapid urbanization, climate adaptation, and sustainability integration into urban policy and practice without relying on generic prescriptions or one-size-fits-all solutions.