Twelve cities, states and regions from across the world honored for their climate leadership at the COP30 Local Leaders Forum in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Today, at the COP30 Local Leaders Forum in Rio de Janeiro, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced the winners of the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Local Leaders Climate Awards. In partnership with C40 and others, the Awards recognize the best policies, projects, and programs led by local leaders that have effectively addressed climate change over the past three years. This year, 10 cities and 2 states and regions from around the world — including both a Brazilian and a global champion across six award categories — are being honored for their ambitious, impactful, and people-centered climate breakthroughs.
“Local leaders know that implementing effective climate solutions brings immediate benefits: cleaner air, stronger economies, and more resilient communities,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and Founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies. “These winning projects are proof that with commitment and creativity, cities, states and regions can improve lives today while also protecting the environment for tomorrow.”
Selected from a competitive pool of over 160 applicants across 45 countries, this year’s winners were distinguished by their ability to connect climate policy to people’s everyday lives and accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement. The Awards categories align with the priorities of the COP30 Presidency—a just energy transition, adaptation, public health, and powerful multilevel partners—showcasing the power of local action to address climate change, improve public health, and strengthen economic opportunities.
The winners of the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Local Leaders Climate Awards are:
- Energy Transition & Smarter Buildings
- Juiz de Fora, Brazil: Transforming Energy
- Boston, USA: Boston’s Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) and its Equitable Emissions Investment Fund
- Clean, Reliable Transportation
- São Paulo, Brazil: Electrification of the São Paulo Bus Fleet — Municipal Program for Innovative Acquisition and Financing
- Oslo, Norway: Pioneering City for Zero-Emission Heavy Duty Transport
- Safer Infrastructure for a Changing World
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Extreme Heat Response Protocol
- Beijing, China: Building a Climate-Resilient Beijing Municipal Administrative Center
- Healthy Cities, Strong Communities
- Barcarena, Brazil: Barcarena Food System: Sustainable Development and Food Securit
- Sofia, Bulgaria: Sofia’s Climate Leap for Cleaner Air, Healthier Lives, Greener Future
- Sustainable Waste Solutions
- Salvador, Brazil: Recicla Capital
- Quezon City, Philippines: From Waste to Worth: The Quezon City Trash to Cashback Program
- Power of Partnership
- Government of the State of Piauí, Brazil: Ecological ICMS of the State of Piauí
- Scottish Government, United Kingdom: Woodland Carbon Code and Scotland’s Woodland Restoration
Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities said: “As we gather here on the eve of COP30, we celebrate the absolute best of local climate action. A huge congratulations to all the cities named as winners for the 2025 Local Leaders Climate Awards! These solutions are powerful, real-world examples of how local leaders are slashing emissions, building resilience, and improving people’s daily lives. I am delighted that these Awards spotlight local solutions here in Brazil – from accelerating the shift to renewables to protecting residents from extreme heat. The world’s eyes are on Brazil, and these winning solutions prove that local action can drive global progress.”
The 2025 winners were selected by a distinguished jury of global leaders and policymakers renowned for their work in urban innovation, climate action, and public service:
- 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, and Co-Chair of the Global Covenant of Mayors
- Simon Stiell, United Nations Climate Change Executive Secretary
- 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 Bloomberg Philanthropies Local Leaders Climate Awards celebrate measurable, scalable solutions that demonstrate the power of cities and regions to accelerate implementation of the Paris Agreement. The Awards were presented at the COP30 Local Leaders Forum, a three-day convening bringing together mayors, governors, and subnational leaders from around the world to showcase how local action is driving global climate progress.
For more information on the winning projects, visit the 2025 Local Leaders Climate Awards homepage.
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About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2024, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3.7 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
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