United Kingdom 3rd November 2025: Cities across the globe are stepping up their fight against climate change, seeking a record US$105 billion in investment to fund more than 2,100 climate resilience and sustainability projects. According to new data released by CDP, the global environmental disclosure platform. The surge in funding, up from US$86 billion last year, signals a growing global commitment to future-proofing urban infrastructure against rising temperatures, floods, and pollution.
More than 400 cities, spanning from London and New York to Jakarta and Nairobi, have submitted detailed project proposals focused on green transport, clean energy transitions, waste management, and nature-based urban design. The projects range from large-scale flood defence systems and solar-powered transit networks to smart water management and climate-adaptive housing. Collectively, they represent a decisive step toward transforming urban centres into engines of sustainable development.
Experts say this momentum reflects how climate resilience has become an economic opportunity, not just an environmental necessity. Local governments are partnering with private investors, development banks, and technology firms to deliver scalable, high-impact projects that also generate thousands of green jobs and promote social equity. The integration of artificial intelligence, IoT sensors, and data analytics is further helping cities monitor emissions, optimise energy use, and build more efficient, low-carbon communities.
As climate financing accelerates, several cities are already reporting success stories. In Europe, municipal green bonds are funding new clean mobility projects, while Asian cities are investing heavily in renewable energy microgrids. Meanwhile, African and Latin American regions are focusing on sustainable water systems and urban agriculture to strengthen food and water security.
The findings mark a historic milestone, the first time the total value of disclosed city-level climate projects has surpassed the US$100 billion mark. This growing pipeline reflects the accelerating commitment of local governments to deliver cleaner air, greener infrastructure, and stronger resilience against rising climate risks.
While the US$105 billion figure represents investment needs rather than funds already committed, it demonstrates unprecedented readiness from cities to scale climate solutions. However, the report also notes that only a small portion of these projects have secured full financing. To bridge this gap, CDP is calling for closer collaboration between municipalities, private investors, and multilateral development banks.
The record-breaking US$105 billion investment pipeline underscores a global shift from climate ambition to tangible, measurable action. Cities are proving that local leadership and innovation can drive planetary-scale change. By embedding sustainability, resilience, and inclusivity into every layer of urban development, the world’s cities are laying the foundation for a cleaner, smarter, and more equitable future, one where people and the planet can thrive together.
