Cities are already experiencing a new climate reality. C40’s adaptation work helps cities to take action to protect residents and infrastructure from immediate and future climate risks, as well as to develop solutions and implement actions towards transformational, city-wide resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Breathing clean air is a human right, but 99% of the world’s population lives in areas that exceed safe pollution limits. Breathing dirty air leads to premature death and disease, disproportionately impacting marginalised and vulnerable communities.
Cities are taking urgent action on air pollution to tackle climate breakdown, improve air quality, and create greener, healthier, more resilient cities.
Buildings are responsible for more emissions than you might think – 60% on average, and up to 80% in some cities. This means that the transition away from fossil fuels and into renewable energy and green buildings solutions must be an essential part of all climate action.
Cities have strong control over many aspects of urban food systems. Our work in this area helps cities to implement solutions that make it easier for people to eat more plant-based options and waste less food. Doing so will help reduce emissions, improve health and equity, and enhance climate resilience around the world.
The cities with the most successful transport strategies prioritise people-friendly streets over space for cars. Cities have the ability to build a future where the majority of people travel on foot, by bike or by shared transport, and make sure that remaining vehicle trips are made using zero emission vehicles.
Maritime shipping is a critical sector of the global economy, but the industry’s reliance on fossil fuels generates billions of tonnes of CO2 emissions each year. Ships emit greenhouse gases and sulphur and nitrous oxides, contributing to air, water and noise pollution.
Urban planning measures are critical for cities to be able to deliver on their greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets and reduce their vulnerability to climate hazards. C40’s Urban Planning work supports cities to develop, implement and share planning strategies and regulations that set a framework for sustainable and equitable urban growth.
Around the world, sustainable urban waste management practices can improve public health and economic opportunity, promote equity and create resilient infrastructure. When approached holistically, waste and sustainable materials management can help cities reduce 15-20% of their emissions through reduction, avoidance, recycling, treatment and offsetting.
