Bloomberg Philanthropies names 26 cities as finalists for the 2025 Local Leaders Awards

Today, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced the finalists for the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Local Leaders Awards, which recognise the best policies, projects, or programs led by local leaders, states, and regions that have effectively addressed climate change over the past three years. In partnership with C40 Cities, the Awards highlight the exemplary and critical role mayors and local leaders play across the globe in accelerating global climate progress on the road to COP30.

Local Leaders Awards 2025

The 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Local Leaders Award categories align with the priorities of the COP30 Presidency-just energy transition, adaptation, public health, and powerful multilevel partnerships-emphasising bold, forward-looking climate solutions at the local and regional levels.

Applications were open to subnational members of C40 Cities, the National Front of Mayors (Frente Nacional de Prefeitos), Global Covenant of Mayors, ICLEI, Under2, Climate Mayors, Regions4, and Centro Brasil no Clima. The 26 finalists, selected from a competitive pool of over 160 applications across 45 countries, showcase effective and innovative local leadership that reduces urban pollution, improves quality of life, and delivers economic opportunity for the greatest number of people.

"Climate change is a global challenge, but effective solutions often start at the local level - where great ideas can take root and spread from city to city," said Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and Founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies. "Each of these finalists is taking bold action to cut emissions, improve public health, and spur economic growth - demonstrating how much progress is possible when leaders work together across cities, countries, and the public and private sectors."

The Awards will honour both a Brazilian and a global champion across the six Award categories, showcasing the pivotal role of local governments worldwide. The 26 finalists are:

Energy Transition & Smarter Buildings

Cutting costs and carbon with clean power and efficient design

• Boston, USA: Boston's Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) and its Equitable Emissions Investment Fund
• Chengdu, China: Clean Energy and Green Buildings Empowering the Megacity's Low-Carbon Transition
• Johannesburg, South Africa: Solar Micro-grids in Johannesburg Informal Settlements
• Curitiba, Brazil: Curitiba Mais Energia
• Juiz de Fora, Brazil: Transforming Energy

Clean, Reliable Transportation

Moving people and goods on dependable, low-emission networks

• Belize City, Belize: E-Mobility Pilot Project
• Jakarta, Indonesia: Advancing Sustainable Connectivity through EV Initiatives and Greater Jakarta Network Expansion
• Oslo, Norway: Pioneering City for Zero-Emission Heavy Duty Transport
• Belo Horizonte, Brazil: Shared Electric Bicycles
• São Paulo, Brazil: Electrification of the São Paulo Bus Fleet - Municipal Program for Innovative Acquisition and Financing

Safer Infrastructure for a Changing World

Guarding communities with resilient, climate-ready systems

• Beijing, China: Building a Climate-Resilient Beijing Municipal Administrative Center
• Bogotá, Colombia: Resilient Urban Revitalization in Bogotá
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Extreme Heat Response Protocol
• Teresina, Brazil: São Joaquim Lagoon Project - Green Infrastructure and Climate Resilience

Healthy Cities, Strong Communities

Elevating air quality, green space, and everyday wellbeing

• Paris, France: Paris Respire: Reimaging mobility and public space for clean air
• Sofia, Bulgaria: Sofia's Climate Leap for Cleaner Air, Healthier Lives, Greener Future
• Barcarena, Brazil: Barcarena Food System: Sustainable Development and Food Security
• Fortaleza, Brazil: The Urban Microparks of Fortaleza Project

Sustainable Waste Solutions

Slashing waste, creating jobs, and keeping pollution out of landfills

• Cerro Navia, Chile: Cerro Navia Food Bank
• Quezon City, Philippines: From Waste to Worth: The Quezon City Trash to Cashback Program
• Abaetetuba, Brazil: Sustainability Complex Of The Municipality Of Abaetetuba
• Salvador, Brazil: Recicla Capital

Power of Partnership

Cities and regions united to deliver national-level climate results

• Iskandar Region, Malaysia: Iskandar Malaysia Ecolife Challenge
• Scottish Government, United Kingdom: Woodland Carbon Code and Scotland's Woodland Restoration
• Government of the State of Piauí, Brazil: Ecological ICMS of the State of Piauí
• Recife, Brazil: Filtering Gardens

Two winners in each of the six categories-one Brazilian and one global-will be announced at the COP30 Local Leaders Forum.

"At COP30, we are inspired by the leadership of cities around the world," said Ana Toni, COP30 CEO. "Their innovative solutions and commitment demonstrate that local action is the heart of global climate progress and essential in helping us accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Together, these finalists showcase how bold, collaborative efforts can transform people's lives and communities and accelerate our path to a low-carbon economy."

"Congratulations to all of the cities named as Finalists for the 2025 Local Leaders Awards. These solutions are trailblazing examples of how local leaders are slashing emissions and building resilience whilst improving people's daily lives," said Mark Watts, Executive Director, C40 Cities. "As we prepare to gather in Brazil for the C40 World Mayors Summit and COP30, we are delighted that the Awards spotlight innovative solutions led by local leaders in Brazil - from accelerating the shift to renewables to protecting residents from the increasing impacts of extreme heat."

2025 Jury

A distinguished jury of global leaders and policymakers renowned for their impactful work in urban innovation, climate action, and public service will rigorously assess all finalist projects to select the Award winners. The jury will include:

• Dan Ioschpe, Climate High-Level Champion for COP30
• David Miller, Managing Director of the C40 Centre and former Mayor of Toronto
• Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition
• Simon Stiell, United Nations Climate Change Executive Secretary
• Dr. Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation, Special Envoy for COP30 to Europe, Dean of the Paris Climate School at Sciences Po, France's former Climate Change Ambassador and Special Representative for COP21, and COP22 UN High-Level Champion for Climate Action
• Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities
• Antha Williams, Environment Program Lead, Bloomberg Philanthropies

Now in its ninth edition, and previously known as the C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards, the Local Leaders Awards celebrate the most ambitious and innovative climate projects that deliver measurable impact. The Awards recognise outstanding achievements while showcasing scalable solutions and providing finalists with a platform to share best practices, inspire action, and drive progress in communities worldwide. The winners will be selected based on how effectively they connect climate policy to people's everyday lives and accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement.