Local alliances against climate change: exploring urban experiments within the Covenant of Mayors initiative in Piedmont

While climate impacts are increasingly apparent, effective mitigation and adaptation measures are becoming compelling. Despite the need for an integrated approach among governance levels, local authorities lie at the forefront of climate action. This study investigates how municipalities in the Piedmont region of Italy tackle climate change within the consolidated framework of the Covenant of Mayors initiative. The assessment, based on official documents and expert surveys, revealed significant underdevelopment in adaptation, hinting at the inherent complexity of governing local climate-related planning. Nevertheless, the pivotal role of local alliances of public and private actors can significantly enhance climate action.