Dennis Pamlin, Executive Director of FL4ALL and Senior Advisor at RISE, contributed as a speaker in two sessions at the Daring Cities 2026 Bonn Dialogues. Co-convened by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the Federal City of Bonn, the event brought together local and regional leaders, national governments, researchers and international partners alongside the UN climate meetings.
The programme connected the practical challenges of climate implementation with a broader question: what kinds of lives should urban transformation make possible? Discussions explored how cities can place health, wellbeing and human needs at the centre of innovation while accelerating climate action.
One focus was the opportunity presented by the forthcoming IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities. Turning scientific assessment into urban delivery requires collaboration between researchers, policymakers and organisations that connect science with practice. Building these relationships, tools and implementation capabilities before the report’s release can help translate evidence into policy, investment and action.
The dialogues also explored an innovation agenda beyond net zero and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. This perspective connects emissions reductions with the development of cities that enable healthier, more inclusive and fulfilling lives.
Key themes included:
- Connecting climate science with political decisions and practical urban transformation.
- Developing innovation ecosystems around human needs and wellbeing.
- Strengthening partnerships across levels of government to support implementation.
Together, these discussions positioned cities as partners in shaping a positive sustainability agenda, linking climate ambition with flourishing lives for all on a flourishing planet.