Seven practical steps to protect our cities from the effects of climate change
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Version 0 of 1. Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable is now a global goal following the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda in New York in September. Achieving this target – sustainable development goal 11 – is vital because, for the first time in our history, more people live in cities than live in the countryside. And it is urgent because a third of the urban population lives in slums, mostly located on hazardous land, with poor access to basic services, and few opportunities to earn a decent living. Another huge challenge is that urban areas mostly develop along coasts and rivers, making many city dwellers vulnerable to the effects of climate change. This has led to a growing discussion on how to make cities resilient to flooding, rising sea levels, heatwaves and other harmful results of our changing climate. However these discussions are not yet taking place on a practical level, and there is no blueprint for immediate action. Related: Urban growth meets climate change: Asia proves need for integrated approach | Julian Hunt and Yuguo Li To address this knowledge gap, the Overseas Development Institute is looking at practical examples from around the world, and our initial research shows that seven actions are key in helping towns and cities deal with climate change. What is more, we can start implementing them today: Related: Micro-insurance offers poor families in poorer countries protection from destitution | Amy Yee If we make progress in these seven areas, our cities will become more resilient. These efforts will breathe life into SDG11, ensuring that vulnerable cities and human settlements are made inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable by 2030. |