I have been appointed as a Lead Author by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for the forthcoming Special Report on Climate Change and Cities.
The IPCC, the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change, has recognised the crucial role cities play in both contributing to and mitigating climate change. The Special Report will explore the unique challenges and opportunities within urban environments, providing a comprehensive assessment to inform policy, planning, and actions across the globe.
My role will be releted to the development of Chapter 4: How to Facilitate and Accelerate Change. This Chapter covers such areas as:
- Innovation in governance, urban planning policies, decision-making, technology, urban service provision, energy access and shelter, infrastructure, social systems, and finance, including adoption of innovation, facilitation of societal trends, acknowledging the diverse capacities
- Institutional capacities, competencies, inclusive multi-level governance
- Policies for behavioural and lifestyle changes including demand-side mitigation measures, education for empowerment, community engagement, social movements and communications
- Finance, financial instruments, legal frameworks, economic and policy instruments
- Holistic planning and systems thinking approach towards decarbonized and climate resilient cities
The outline of the Special Report agreed by the Panel at its Sixty-first Session (Sofia, Bulgaria, 27 July to 2 August 2024) is available here.
As we begin this important work, I will do my best to deliver an impactful Special Report. I will keep you updated on our progress, the challenges we meet, and the breakthroughs we achieve.
