Hundreds of climate-threatened cities lack adaptation plans, CDP warns

Hundreds of cities around the world are facing significant climate hazards such as flooding, extreme heat, and devastating storms, yet many still do not have adaptation and resilience plans in place to address these intensifying threats, according to a sobering new report from CDP.

A fresh analysis of data submitted to the climate disclosure NGO by over 800 cities worldwide shows that 93 per cent report facing significant threats to their residents, buildings, and infrastructure from the changing climate, while 74 per cent are seeing increasing risks to already vulnerable populations.

Yet 43 per cent of the cities analysed, which together are expected to have a population of 400 million people by 2030, do not currently have a climate adaptation or resilience plan in place.

Moreover, the new report found only 59 per cent of cities have conducted a climate risk and vulnerability assessment - a crucial step on the way to developing a wider adaptation plan - and 58 per cent do not yet have a city-wide emissions reduction target, while only 51 per cent have developed a wider climate action plan.

CDP said a major barrier to cities taking action to improve climate adaptation and resilience was financial, with a quarter of respondents citing budgetary capacity as a key constraint.

The combined financial shortfall identified by cities looking to deliver climate adaptation measures to protect their citizens amounts to $72bn, added the non-profit, a figure it described as "a drop in the ocean" compared to the estimated $14.9tr-worth of Covid-19 stimulus packages announced by national governments over the past year.

Kyra Appleby, global director for cities, states, and regions at CDP, therefore urged city authorities and national governments worldwide to urgently ramp up climate risk and vulnerability efforts post-pandemic in order to protect their citizens and infrastructure against growing climate threats.

"As we embark on the next 10 years of climate action, we acknowledge that city progress has been steady, but there is still much work to do," she said. "We must prioritize a green recovery and ensure that cities have the necessary support to decarbonise rapidly and build resilience to tackle climate risks. With the clock ticking down, the time for strong, decisive action is now."

Since CDP began seeking climate data disclosures from cities in 2011, the number providing data has shot up from 43 to over 800 last year. These cities tend to outperform the average when it comes to climate efforts, CDP said. For example, of the 800 cities disclosing to CDP, 42 per cent source their energy from renewable sources, compared to the global average of 26 per cent from cities worldwide.

But with climate impacts set to intensify further in the coming years, Appleby urged more cities to accelerate their climate adaptation and resilience - as well as mitigation - efforts in order to protect their citizens and infrastructure.

Potential adaptation measures cited in CDP's analysis include urban tree planting and measures to enhance green areas to tackle urban heat islands, the development of hazard-resistant infrastructure, investment in flood risk and sea level rise mitigation measures, and programmes to retrofit homes to combat fuel poverty and protect against heat waves.

"Cities are key actors in building a resilient future for all," said Appleby. "They have a dual role to play - to reduce emissions but also to protect populations and infrastructure from the physical hazards and resulting impacts of climate change. Since March 2020, we have seen the huge and disruptive impact Covid-19 has had on lives and livelihoods across the globe, with cities needing to divert resources to saving lives, bolstering economies and protecting vital health services. Now, to build a resilient planet and ensure everyone is protected from future threats, every city must carry out a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to identify the crucial actions they must take."