UN-Habitat released “World Cities Report 2024: Cities and Climate Action” | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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    UN-Habitat released “World Cities Report 2024: Cities and Climate Action”

    Posted 07 Nov 2024

    2 min read

    It noted that cities are both victims of climate change and its worst offenders (Generating Green House Gases), although disproportionately exposed to impacts of climate change.

    Key-findings of Report:

    • Exposed to climate change: More than 2 billion people currently living in cities could be exposed to an additional temperature increase of at least 0.5 °C by 2040.
    • Funding gap: Cities need an estimated $4.5-5.4 trillion per year to build and maintain climate-resilient systems.
      • Current financing stands at just $831 billion.
    • Shrinking Green space:  With average share in urban areas worldwide falling from 20% in 1990 to 14 % in 2020.
    • Impact on Vulnerable People: Some climate interventions have inadvertently worsened conditions for vulnerable communities. 
      • E.g., “green gentrification,” where initiatives like park creation displace low-income households or drive up property values.

    Recommendations:

    • Revenue raising based on enabling conditions e.g. through debt, creating PPPs, and establishing instruments to mobilize climate finance.
    • Integrating climate action into urban planning and Supporting bottom-up(Locally-led) climate adaptation efforts for effectively building resilience. 
    • Strengthening social protection programmes, adopting nature-based solutions that address climate shocks.

    About UN-Habitat

    • Genesis: In 1978, Habitat I provided foundations of United Nations Human Settlements Program or UN-Habitat.
    • Headquarter: Nairobi (Kenya).
    • Objective: Mandated by UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities.
    • Partners: Collaborates with governments, intergovernmental UN agencies, civil society organizations, academic institutions and private sector.
    • Important documents: Vancouver Declaration on Human Settlements(Habitat I), Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements (Habitat II) etc.
    • Flagship publications: State of the World's Cities, World Cities Report 

     

    • Tags :
    • World Cities Report 2024
    • UN-Habitat
    • State of the World's Cities
    • Green Gentrification
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