The World Cities Report 2024 provides a far-reaching analysis of the current and expected climate impacts on different regions and cities and the differing vulnerabilities urban populations face due to poverty, inequality, ethnicity, gender, disability, and other characteristics.
According to the WUF’s official website, the report emphasizes the cities' crucial role in tackling climate change through mitigation, adaptation, and resilience building.
The report also serves as both a wake-up call and a source of inspiration, showcasing community-led, innovative practices that guide collaborative and inclusive climate action, according to the UN-Habitat.
It highlights four main themes: the urgent need for action, the potential of urban areas to address the crisis, the importance of inclusive climate measures, and the need for people-centred, nature-based solutions.
Moreover, it identifies barriers to effective climate action and provides policy guidance to ensure a just and equitable climate transition that prioritizes vulnerable urban populations.
Underscoring the report's importance, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Anacláudia Rossbach emphasized the vital role of knowledge in addressing climate change.
"Knowledge is the cornerstone of effective climate action, and the insights we gather today are critical in shaping future frameworks like the forthcoming Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), especially its report on Climate Change and Cities," she stated.
Rossbach added that the report underlines the necessity of integrating urban realities into climate strategies.
Transformative adaptation builds resilient and inclusive cities for lasting change
"As we prepare for COP29, we are committed to leveraging knowledge to inform strategies that resonate with both local and global efforts," Rossbach noted.
Additionally, the report calls for an enhanced urban focus to drive ambitious national climate commitments, highlighting the importance of aligning climate action with broader development goals, such as improved public services, settlement upgrading, poverty reduction, and public health.
"The report further calls for integrated climate considerations across sectors to support cities in making effective, lasting investments for sustainable development," Rossbach added.
It also stresses the necessity for participatory and community-led climate action. Furthermore, it advocates for locally tailored solutions that address residents' specific needs, particularly in informal settlements and low-income neighbourhoods, where communities have often been left out of decision-making processes.
The World Cities Report also sheds light on the looming challenges caused by climate change and rapid urbanization.
Poorly managed growth has led to a decline in urban green spaces, with global averages showing a reduction from 19.5 percent in 1990 to 13.9 percent in 2020, according to the report.
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