This report provides an assessment of the state and trends of the global environment in relation to internationally agreed goals; evaluates the gaps and barriers in their implementation; and provides policy options that have the potential to speed-up realization of these goals.This GEO-5 companion report for local authorities, prepared by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability in collaboration with UNEP, highlights that the world is rich in local policies, initiatives and projects. These are rapidly evolving and becoming ever more sophisticated and integrated. Local initiatives offer possible pathways for tackling environmental
challenges and reaching international targets. This joint ICLEI and UNEP report underlines that many of these initiatives have been envisioned and enacted by local authorities in the world’s cities and towns, where today over half the global population resides. Their actions represent a body of accomplishments that can illuminate the path to “the future we want”.