The upcoming 2024 Innovate4Cities Conference (I4C24) is set to be a landmark event, uniting leaders from various sectors to address climate change challenges in urban environments. Here are 5 of the expected key highlights and outcomes:

1. Elevating the discussion on climate science and cities
There will be ample opportunity for discovery and meaningful exchanges at I4C24, confirming the leading role that Innovate4Cities has in curating knowledge on cities and climate change science. With over 100 20 and 30-minutes sessions, attendees will be able to explore the full spectrum of topics related to climate science and cities. Deep dive and networking sessions will allow for in-depth discussions on the critical challenges and solutions in fostering sustainable, climate-resilient cities.

“Best-case scenario for me is the recognition of the size of the problem. And also, a recognition, a humility of cities that they need to build these alliances for transition.” – Indy Johar, Co-founder Project 00 & Dark Matter Labs

2. Advancing scientific research and policy integration
A major focus of I4C24 will be on understanding and disseminating the latest scientific climate research. This knowledge will be crucial for informing policies and contributing to key climate processes, including the upcoming IPCC Special Report on Climate Change & Cities.

“The anticipated outcomes from the next iteration of the conference include an updated global research action agenda, aligned with the IPCC AR7 assessment cycle. We’re aiming to accelerate the action that we all know is needed.” – Şiir Kılkış, Vice Chair of IPCC Working Group III

3. Fostering innovative solutions
While advancing knowledge is a critical part of Innovate4Cities, the conference also provides a platform for creative discussions, enabling participants to exchange views on challenges, solutions, and pathways forward. With such a collaborative environment, there’s ample opportunity to reconnect and form new alliances to accelerate innovative cross-sector solutions.

“The task ahead of us (on addressing climate change) is incredibly overwhelming, but it’s still doable. Making the right choices, whether that is countries, governments; whether that’s companies; whether that’s communities; whether that’s us as individuals – the choices are before us.” – Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

4. Strengthening cross-sectoral partnerships to bridge science and action
As Simon Stiell highlights, working together is critical to achieving the Paris Agreement goals, and for this reason the Conference is designed to bring diverse stakeholders together, from academia and industry to government and civil society. One of the themes of the Conference is Multi-level Governance and Partnership, so the Conference will showcase the diverse types of knowledge and science needed for cross-sectoral and multilevel governmental collaborations, emphasizing interactions between government and business stakeholders to foster networked resilience across cities and advance transformative climate change responses.

5. Energizing and mobilizing people
The conference aims to inspire those who can join us especially in Montréal. With a thoughtfully designed programme, expect to gain a lot of knowledge on climate change and cities, actionable insights to implement in respective fields, and to be energized by the passion of speakers and other attendees.

“The best-case scenario is that the conference results in more participants being excited and mobilized about this topic. It generates more collaboration and yields usable knowledge that can be used in the Special Report on Climate Change and Cities.” – Seth Schultz, CEO of Resilience Rising

As we approach the 2024 Innovate4Cities Conference, the anticipation for these outcomes underscores the event’s potential to drive meaningful change in local climate action. The collaborative efforts and innovative solutions that emerge from I4C24 will be key in shaping a more sustainable future for cities worldwide.

Find out more information about the Conference including how you can attend the event shaping the future of cities by signing up to the Innovate4Cities mailing list.