We identify themes that have the greatest potential for systems level change, through one-to-one interviews, consultation and research across government, private, philanthropic, academic/think tank and community sectors in Canada and globally. We then narrow the focus to a specific case study to solve for each theme. By focusing broadly and solving for the particular, we can then look at how to scale across jurisdictions.

We recognize that equitable climate solutions are complex and depend on many different actors aligning their efforts to achieve a desired end. For each case, we identify the key people who can help name and frame the issue. Some people will be engaged in all stages of the engagement process and others might be involved in only one stage.

Prior to any convening we scope the issue with our partners, dive into the existing research and create discussion guides that prepare participants for a productive conversation. Discussion guides and Summary reports are created before and after every session.

At the heart of Urban Climate Leadership’ approach is well designed, professionally facilitated and outcome oriented convening. There are generally three stages to our convening:

—Sensemaking when we collectively identify the problem to be solved

—Deliberation when we identify solutions and pathways to action, and

—Strategic implementation when we define who is doing what, when and how.

Each stage is defined carefully and with the people/organizations/institutions who have the ability and energy to engage and act. It is followed by a Summary Report that is verified and shared with all participants to ensure that we are collectively building our knowledge and capacity.

Following the convening the next step is implementation and moving the recommendations forward that are identified in each stage. This will generally involve coordinating many partner organizations, public outreach, communications and policy advocacy with different levels of government. This stage can take months and years of focused work.

Following each process, reflecting on the emergent lessons, the processes’ strengths and weaknesses, partners’ feedback and the outcomes of the implementation is key to refining, reshaping and redesigning next steps. The annual cycle of action, reflection, reaction is key to establishing a learning culture and embracing innovative approaches to engagement and action.

Solving for one local government doesn’t mean a seamless application in another. With each particular case study, UCL identifies pathways to scaling up the solution to other contexts. This could be scaling process, policy, capacity and education.

Urban Climate Leaderships takes a conscientious closure approach for each initiative by evaluating what success looks like in the design phase. We draw from the growing field of evaluation, measurement and verification and establish a baseline to enable the best possible resource allocation and outcomes. 

We share out learnings openly through the Creative Commons and contribute to other open source data sharing platforms.