About the network
The International Climate Councils Network was launched in 2021 to support and amplify the work of a growing network of climate councils: 28 expert bodies officially mandated to advise their governments on climate policy.
Our Mission
The ICCN’s mission is to strengthen climate governance through effective climate councils.
Our Vision
National climate policies are informed by climate science and experts across a wide range of disciplines, so effective policy solutions are implemented by government.
Climate change is seen as a unifying, rather than dividing, challenge. Democratic participation, accountability and agency in climate policy are increased through effective public engagement by governments and climate councils alike.
International ambition on climate change is achieved, including the Paris Agreement and new goals on adaptation, methane and sector-specific breakthroughs, with climate councils playing a key role in advising on the implementation of NDCs and other parts of international climate architecture.
Climate governance is strengthened globally, and particularly in the Global South, so countries most impacted by climate change can attract critical climate finance, increase adaptation and resilience measures, reduce their risk from climate impacts, and make a just transition to a sustainable economy.
Guiding principles for climate councils
A majority of councils have endorsed the following five principles for effective climate councils:
A robust grounding in the latest climate science, as exemplified by the assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), supported by strong expertise across relevant economic, physical, ecological and social sciences.
A mandate to provide independent, evidence-led advice to and assessment of action by Government and stakeholders on climate mitigation and/or adaptation, with sufficient resources to deliver on that mandate.
A remit to produce advice on the socioeconomic aspects of the climate transition to ensure that it is procedurally and substantively fair.
A consultative and impartial approach to engaging stakeholders to help develop consensus and steer policy action, particularly in critical and/or challenging areas.
A sharp focus on strengthening and aligning adaptation, mitigation and just transition efforts, and improving their integration – all three are essential to effective climate action.