Cities currently account for 75% of carbon emissions. Achieving global emissions targets requires leadership from cities. However, rapid and radical decarbonization can only be sustainable if it is socially just. Transformations that go beyond technical solutions require holistic approaches and the participation of diverse stakeholders and civil society. To trigger such processes in a highly urbanized region, catalytic projects will be implemented in five Urban Labs in Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina, where new coalition-building and governance models will be tested.

This process is reinforced by transformative research, tailored communication strategies, and activities to build local capacity. The project will also use film and art to inspire new narratives of attractive urban futures and shift mindsets toward sustainability. Finally, the coalition-building and governance models will be scaled up to other cities and countries and, ultimately, contribute to influencing global agendas for sustainability transformations.