Cities are unprepared for climate change risks, CDP warn

More than 40% of cities surveyed are "woefully unprepared" for the effects of climate change as many do not have sufficient infrastructure to adapt to tackle the risks head-on, according to research gathered by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).

The London-based NGO analysed 812 cities across the world and found that 93% of them are at serious risk from the effects of the water shortages, extreme heat, disease and flooding that may see a significant increase as the climate crisis worsens.

Read more: Carbon price hits €50 high as EU sets climate goals

"City disclosure" - the CDP's metric for local government which provide data to them - has seen an increase of 17-times since 2011.

The cities currently cover over 800 million people across 84 countries.

148 of the places quizzed reported long-term goals in line with the 1.5°C goals of the Paris Climate Agreement (PCA). However, only 52 reported any interim goals. 

51% of respondents claimed to have no climate action plan whatsoever, leaving them completely open to some of the more catastrophic effects.

2020 saw some of the warmest temperatures on record for each month excluding December, and the ten warmest years on record have all occurred since 2005.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) 2020 Annual Climate Report, the combined land and ocean temperature has increased at an average rate of 0.13°C per decade since 1880. However, since 1981, rates have more than doubled.

For 74% of respondents, the effects of climate change are already worsening the conditions faced by the most vulnerable in their respective societies. 60% of cities cite substantive water security concerns for the future.

"We have witnessed a profound change in climate action over the past decade," says Kyra Appleby, the global director for cities, states and regions at CDP.

"Local government action and ambition has increased, and national government have also stepped up," she added, citing the signing of the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement as a "major turning point" for the organisation, which has seen city disclosure more than double since.

Cities also account for 70% of global emissions, the report claims.

Read more: Global renewable capacity sees 45% climb for 2020

Nearly nine-tenths of the cities surveyed have admitted to either incorporating sustainability into their master plans or plan to do so within the next two years and 59% of respondents were revealed to have conducted climate risk and vulnerability assessments.

However, the CDP estimates as much as $72 billion (€59.6 billion) in global infrastructure may be required to help them deliver on climate action.

While this may seem a hefty price, the CDP has warned the price on inaction will be far higher.

Solutions include more green spaces, recycling, public transport, evacuation contingencies and switching to greener engines.

A number of key global players have already set in motion some form of climate goals.

The EU has the European Green Deal, which will set rigid criteria in line with the PCA. The bloc has also set out to enshrine these goals into law.

The US re-entered the PCA following the inauguration of Joe Biden after former President Donald Trump pulled out in 2017.

Biden has also set out climate goals in line with many other global leaders - roughly a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and is set to introduce a sustainable jobs initiative that could cost trillions of dollars.

He also recently approved the nation's first wind farm in a push towards renewable generation.

Read more: Biden approves US's first major wind farm

This comes ahead of the COP26 summit to be held in Glasgow this November.

Budgetary restraints were cited as a major reason for a lack of climate preparation by 25% of cities surveyed. Many are reliant on central governments for funding, which could also put their more vulnerable populations at risk.

Paris's mayor, Anne Hildago said: "We know that cities are on the frontline of the climate emergency. They are densely populated... but they are also agents of change to build a new model of society."

The CDP emphasise the importance of reducing carbon emissions and installing renewable capacity as quickly as possible in order to minimise the more catastrophic elements of climate change.

It stresses the importance of the 2050 net-zero targets and how governments must work to achieve them.

Currently, renewable energy makes up 42% of the reported cities energy mix compared with the 26% global average.

Appleby said the added stress of the Covid-19 pandemic has not helped the situation.

She added: "Cities have been on the frontline for two complex global crises: tackling the pandemic and climate change simultaneously.

"Despite the increased pressure and reduced resources, more cities are reporting their environmental impacts."

Many nations have packaged dealing with climate change into their pandemic recovery schemes, including focuses on greater sustainability and infrastructure.

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