Early Achievements

The Local2030 Islands Network values connected relationships and concrete action. Since its launch during the U.N. General Assembly in September 2019, the Network has achieved significant early milestones toward its ambitious 2025 Strategy. Early Network achievements include: 

  • Recruited 13 island economies into the Network, representing a diverse range of geographical regions and political jurisdictions.

  • Created the Local2030 Islands Network Virtual COVID Platform to share and support solutions to the immediate and urgent challenges posed to island communities by the COVID-19 response.  

  • Hosted eight webinars on building back better post COVID-19, including strengthening island resilience, food security, nature-based solutions, and amplifying island and indigenous youth voices.

  • Shared 125+ bright spots with over 2,000 participants from 60+ different countries.

  • Received high-profile support and endorsements from the UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed and Former US President Barack Obama.

  • Assisted with the launch and strengthening of two Green Growth Initiatives in Guam and Hawai’i. Green Growth Initiatives can be a useful template for implementing Principle 2 by Network members.

  • Launched two Communities of Practice (CoPs) to address island priorities:

    • Clean Energy and Resilience CoP supports resilience and clean energy systems deployment in islands. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will support this island-led CoP and collaborate with members to implement priority initiatives.

    • Data and Dashboards to Support Resilience Community of Practice builds capacity for islands through data and decision support tools in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Local2030 Hub, Esri, and U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

  • Secured critical seed funding from Ireland, Global Island Partnership members and the Hawaiʻi Local2030 Hub to initiate early Local2030 Island Network activities. 

  • Secured $9 million in financial support from the United States as part of the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE) to build capacity for islands to measure and advance progress on local climate goals.

“Islands can help scale solutions and inspire regional and global action. We're delighted to be a Partner to the Local2030 Islands Network to promote locally-driven solutions that achieve real results, integrate climate and sustainability priorities, and bring an island worldview to the 2030 agenda."

— Celeste Connors, Executive Director, Hawaii Green Growth