Cities driving community-led solutions to climate resilience
Cities around the globe are already facing serious impacts of climate change, from extreme heat and energy crises to floods and water shortages. These impacts intensify the cost of living crisis, drive job losses, and increase risks for vulnerable communities.
C40 cities aren’t just adapting to these pressures; they’re leading the way – adapting and building resilience by turning extreme weather threats into opportunities for safer, stronger communities.
This World Cities Day, we’re putting the focus on community-led solutions that are inclusive, equitable and improve the lives of residents.
São Paulo
São Paulo is a metropolis facing complex issues; its innovative rain gardens are a nature-based solution that is highly efficient in flood control.
As well as flood management, the rain gardens create valuable urban green spaces that attract birds, pollinators, and other wildlife.
Local residents are now requesting gardens in new locations and, in some gardens, have planted new seedlings, demonstrating their participation and care, key elements for the success of any initiative.
São Paulo has also started a project to support environmental education in four vulnerable areas of the city.
Community members participate in tailored training programmes to become Environmental Monitoring Agents, contributing to their community’s climate resilience and water security.
Quito
Ecuador’s capital, Quito, sits in a valley on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active volcano. In 2025, the city experienced a massive landslide, causing its worst water crisis in 25 years.
The city was able to respond rapidly, thanks to emergency planning that had provided training and equipment to local community committees. Drinking water was swiftly supplied to areas cut off by the landslide.
Alternative water supplies were provided to 5,500 people across 220 neighbourhoods, and over 60 water trucks, hydrants, bladders and mobile distribution points were distributed, prioritising hospitals, markets and vulnerable communities.
This transformation of Quito’s emergency management into a permanent, community-led framework ensures long-term water resilience and fast-acting responses to those who need it most.
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C. is one of four US cities partnering with community-based organisations over the next 12 months to implement innovative, community-driven solutions that safeguard the most vulnerable residents.
By deploying “Heat Ambassadors” across several neighbourhoods, Washington, D.C. is providing critical health support to vulnerable residents during extreme heat.
Paris
In France, heat waves have recently proven deadly, with the risks of excessive heat particularly targeting the elderly and those in ill health. In Paris, the dense infrastructure network causes a significant urban heat island effect, where city temperatures are noticeably higher than those in nearby rural areas. This trend is being exacerbated by climate change.
In an effort to help reverse these effects, the city has instituted a unique greening initiative, calling on residents to get directly involved.
Paris is greening its grey infrastructure – planting trees and creating rooftop gardens all over the city in order to alleviate rising temperatures and help the city adapt to climate change while creating a more pleasant living environment for its residents.
The city also issued a “license to green” to all Parisians, encouraging them to plant more trees and gardens on vacant pieces of land. These can be planted anywhere individuals can find space – from a small strip of grass on a sidewalk to a full-fledged community garden. 80% of Parisians are in favour of creating more green spaces in the city, which will lead to a more pleasant living environment for all.
related
Commitments by C40 cities to drive ambitious climate results and halve fossil fuel use by 2030.
C40 mayors and global partners are leading urban climate adaptation and resilience efforts on the front lines.
Cities worldwide are proving that climate action is most successful when equity and fairness are at the heart of every decision.
