UN Habitat conference to focus on cities' role in climate change

A UN Habitat conference set for next month seeks to advance progress towards meeting gaps identified by the Global Research and Action Agenda on Cities and Climate Change Science.

The international Innovate4Cities Conference, UN-Habitat, and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy conference is expected to attract over 1,000 city leaders, scientists, researchers, innovators, academics, youth and business leaders.

The conference will be held from October 11-15.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has also been announced as the co-sponsorship of the event.

The conference will also advance progress towards meeting knowledge gaps, especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

GCoM Acting Executive Director Arlene McCarthy said cities continue to be vital leaders on the frontlines of the fight against climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The Innovate4Cities Conference will be a critical opportunity for cities to gather with fellow climate experts and scientists to accelerate innovative and groundbreaking solutions to the climate crisis and ensure a sustainable, resilient future for people around the globe,” Arlene said.

The conference sessions and outcomes will be knowledge-generating; prioritising exchange between practitioners and researchers and helping to strengthen the innovation mindset of the climate change community.

UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Mohd Sharif said cities and urban leadership are increasingly willing to make climate action their priority.

“We know that cities account for nearly three quarters of global greenhouse gas emissions and that urban infrastructure and the urban poor are the most vulnerable to climate change."

Sharif added that "Partnering with the IPCC on the delivery of the Innovate4Cities conference will ensure the right scientific foundation, provide additional evidence for local policies and plans and the tools for implementation of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures to meet the challenges.”

Debra Roberts, co-chair of Working Group II of the IPCC, said that Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the prevailing inequalities in cities and towns.

“Climate change has and will continue to exacerbate the disasters and disruptions that magnify these inequalities. More than ever, we need collaboration between scientists, practitioners, policymakers and the business community that leads to knowledge and tangible action to reduce emissions and increase our resilience.”

The first international Cities and Climate Change Science Conference was held in Edmonton, Canada, from March 5-7 2018, and was co-sponsored by the IPCC, during which 10 partners, led by UN-Habitat, brought together over 700 climate scientists, urban academics, policy makers.

Edited by CM