The Coalition for High Ambition and Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP) has reached a historic milestone with the addition of its 76th and 77th endorsing countries. With Sweden and Bolivia joining the coalition, CHAMP now counts more supporters than ever since its launch at COP28 in Dubai in 2023. Each new member strengthens CHAMP’s global reach, influence, and ability to advance ambitious urban climate action at a global level.
From Scandinavia’s clean-tech leadership to South America’s ecological treasures, the endorsement of these two countries sends a clear message: the path to climate resilience demands both innovation and inclusivity, and it can only succeed when every region of the world is engaged. And the continuous growth in endorsements is crucial to maintaining its influence in international climate negotiations and ensuring diversity. Each new member strengthens the coalition’s ability to advocate for more ambitious climate targets, channel resources to vulnerable areas, and share successful practices for adaptation and mitigation.
The coalition was established to accelerate collective climate action, strengthen multilateral cooperation, and ensure that countries work in unison with their cities and regions toward ambitious emissions reduction targets and resilient, sustainable urban development. Its mission is to keep climate ambition high on the global agenda and foster multilevel partnerships across diverse nations and ecosystems.
Sweden: A Longstanding Climate Leader
Sweden has been a pioneer in climate action for decades, leading with a comprehensive approach that combines ambitious policy, technological innovation, and strong public-private partnerships. At the core of its strategy is the national goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, one of the most ambitious targets in the world.
A cornerstone of Sweden’s approach has been its carbon tax policy, introduced in 1991 and steadily increased over time – €134 per ton in 2025. This measure, coupled with the Climate Act of 2017, has provided long-term legal and economic incentives to decouple economic growth from fossil fuel consumption. An independent Climate Policy Council reviews progress to ensure accountability, making Sweden’s climate governance one of the most transparent and robust globally.
Beyond governance, Sweden has positioned itself at the forefront of green industrial innovation. The landmark HYBRIT project (Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology) is developing the world’s first fossil-free steel, a breakthrough with the potential to transform one of the most polluting industries. Swedish companies are also advancing the sustainable battery sector, powering the clean-energy transition across Europe and beyond.
Urban innovation is another pillar of Sweden’s contribution. Cities like Stockholm (C40 Cities member and signatory of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy – GCoM) and Gothenburg (GCoM signatory) are known for eco-districts, smart grids, and biofuel-powered transport. Nationwide, waste-to-energy systems provide heat and electricity to hundreds of thousands of homes.
By endorsing CHAMP, Sweden is not only reaffirming its historic leadership but also lending its practical experience to a coalition that thrives on shared solutions. Sweden is the 13th of 27 European Union Members to have joined CHAMP – which means that all of Scandinavia is now part of CHAMP.
Bolivia: Resilience in the Andes and Amazon
Bolivia joins the coalition as its 77th member, representing a country highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change yet rich in ecosystems vital to the planet’s balance. From the Amazon rainforest to the Andean glaciers and high-altitude wetlands, Bolivia’s landscapes are critical for biodiversity and carbon storage but increasingly threatened by rising temperatures, droughts, and floods.
Unlike highly industrialized nations, Bolivia frames climate action through a holistic vision of “Vivir Bien” (Living Well) and the recognition of Pachamama (Mother Earth’s) importance. This perspective was enshrined in the Framework Law of Mother Earth (2012), which created institutions like the Plurinational Authority for Mother Earth to integrate adaptation and mitigation into national development.
In practice, Bolivia has advanced community-based adaptation projects, empowering Indigenous and rural communities to strengthen food security, preserve genetic crop diversity, and manage water resources. In urban centers such as La Paz and Santa Cruz de la Sierra (both GCoM signatories), authorities have introduced risk maps, early-warning systems, and nature-based solutions to combat floods and landslides.
The country is also taking steps toward a cleaner energy future. Investments in hydropower, solar, and wind are diversifying its energy matrix, while rural electrification programs aim to achieve universal electricity access by 2030.
By endorsing CHAMP, Bolivia reinforces that effective climate action is not only about emissions reductions but also about equity, resilience, and solidarity. Its participation ensures the coalition represents not only climate leaders but also those on the frontlines of climate impacts.