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

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
Watch News Today