Joining forces: how to make local climate partnerships a success

This fact sheet, published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) in October 2016, outlines five strategic lessons for local governments to establish successful partnerships for climate compatible development. Based on experiences from South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, the document emphasizes the importance of strategic partner selection, the inclusion of marginalized and opposing groups, the use of local knowledge brokers, and the necessity of ensuring mutual benefit for all participants.

• Local governments should choose partners strategically, looking beyond the typical environmental or public sectors to find expertise that addresses long-term, locally-specific climate challenges. For example, in Sialkot, Pakistan, partnering with the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) provided access to industry associations, enabling the communication of renewable energy potential to small and medium companies and the development of photovoltaic solar collectors as a low-carbon alternative to diesel.
• It is critical to include marginalized groups and those opposed to climate compatible development to ensure solutions meet the needs of the most vulnerable and to gain wider buy-in. In Nepal, LI-BIRD partnered with farmer's groups, cooperatives, women's groups, and Dalit groups to promote climate smart agriculture, leading to improved economic status for women and Dalits. In Mexico City, government leaders managed opposition from minibus operators regarding the Metrobus rapid-transit system by focusing on shared goals like reducing traffic congestion and air pollution.
• Local governments are encouraged to partner with knowledgeable local actors who understand the community's fabric, while carefully mapping their sphere of influence and accountability. This is because local actors may be driven by national or international interests that can either provide additional financing and knowledge or hinder local processes. In Belize, WWF-Belize utilized its international network to secure scientific support from American universities for coastal management research.
• Partnerships are more sustainable when projects are co-designed so that all participants have a tangible gain from the success. In Belize, the government and WWF-Belize partnered with fisheries and tourism industry bodies—sectors where up to 70% of tourism is climate vulnerable—to create an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan based on economic arguments and stakeholder buy-in.
• The use of a trusted knowledge broker or facilitator is essential to bridge jargon gaps across sectors and maintain regular communication. Examples include the DHAN Foundation in Madurai, India, which used weekly 'river walks' in the local language to mobilize support, and the use of local parish councils in Jamaica to convene communities for geospatial data training provided by the University of The West Indies.

APA

Reil, A., Dupar, M., Tiwari, S., Dedicatoria, R., Anton, B., Bood, N., Mandal, A., Ryan, D., Paul, A., & Madhankumar, A. (2016). Joining forces: how to make local climate partnerships a success. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Essentials_Partnership_FINAL_WEB.pdf

Chicago

Reil, Alice, Mairi Dupar, Sundandan Tiwari, Ranell Dedicatoria, Barbara Anton, Nadia Bood, Arpita Mandal, et al. Joining forces: how to make local climate partnerships a success. Climate and Development Knowledge Network, 2016. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Essentials_Partnership_FINAL_WEB.pdf.

Wikipedia

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BibTeX

@techreport{reil2016joining, author = {Reil, Alice and Dupar, Mairi and Tiwari, Sundandan and Dedicatoria, Ranell and Anton, Barbara and Bood, Nadia and Mandal, Arpita and Ryan, Daniel and Paul, Aditi and Madhankumar, A}, title = {{Joining forces: how to make local climate partnerships a success}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2016}, month = oct, url = {http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Essentials_Partnership_FINAL_WEB.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }