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The Challenge
The Global Climate Geodesign Competition (GCGC) celebrates spatial urban, metropol tan, regional, or national designs that maximize climate benefits, whether through existing designs, plans already prepared or currently in development, or specially designed for this competition. The most climate-stabilizing projects with the greatest qualities in functionality, resilience and amenity will be awarded and win the competition. The GCGC is hosted by the International Geodesign Collaboration (IGC) through the University of Minnesota (UMN), Liechtenstein Institute for Strategic Development (LISD) and Environmental
Systems Research Institute (Esri).
Dates
1 December 2025: Registrations open
31 December 2025: Registrations close
14–16 April 2026: First presentation: workshop conference Geodesign Summit 2026 Redlands, CA and online
15 June 2026: Submission deadline
13–17 July 2026: Final presentation and awards ceremony, Esri User Conference 2026, San Diego, CA
Categories
Submissions can be made in several categories:
- Cities and regions
- Countries and bioregions
- Unions and groups of countries
- Coastal and marine areas, maritime regions, Exclusive Economic Zones and the High Seas
Learn more about the challenge here.
Qualitative and quantitative evaluation
All submissions will be judged on their excellence in a) functionality, b) resilience and c) amenity.
- Functionality is the degree to which the project performs well against specific performance criteria.
- Resilience is the degree to which the project helps resist climate change and other pressures on habitability.
- Amenity is the degree to which the design project promises to enhance and secure the special beauty, comfort and fit of a place, community or region.
Climate stability: for those who use the GCGC Spatial Climate Action approach and App, we can quantify the positive climate impact of your Spatial Climate Actions in absolute, comparative and baseline-referenced ways. The custom GCGC assessment is based on annually updated global data sourced from the Global Carbon Project.
Eligibility and submission steps
Eligibility. Non-commercial such as University-based entities are eligible, subject to terms and conditions. You can enter as a individual, team, class or studio – and are encouraged to connect to a wider multidisciplinary team with diverse expertise. Generally, the International Geodesign Collaboration (IGC) admission criteria are used as eligibility criterion; however, the selecting team will apply its own and final judgment.
Registration. If you are not already enrolled, you are invited to qualify to become a member of the International Geodesign Collaboration (IGC) to join its ongoing access and program resources, as a condition to entering and joining the GCGC.
Advance your proposal. During Esri’s Geodesign Summit at Redlands, California, we will review work in progress. This is an open online or physical forum in which all active participants present their ideas and work in progress for discussion.
Submit your project. Upload your proposals through the soon-designated platforms for consideration and examination. This can also occur via the GCGC App. This includes baseline data and transparent calculation formulas. To be submitted are three
digital image-and-text files for online viewing that are also printable as vertical A1 posters: a) general concept and thematic approach; b) digital and geospatial designs, plans and other views; c) representation and calculations of outcomes.