On Dec 6th,  the 2nd Ministerial on Urbanization and Climate Change took place at COP 28.  (The first Ministerial was held in Sharm El Sheikh at COP 27.) 

For years cities and subnational governments have struggled to be recognized as key players in the climate change agenda.  Finally, at COP 28, the significance of their role has been acknowledged.   This can be seen in the language used at the Ministerial.  Sharif Al Ulema Under Secretary for UAE Ministry of  Energy  and Infrastructure highlighted the importance of urbanization at COP 28.  “We are here to put cities and urbanization at the heart of the climate agenda…COP 28 is a platform to elevate the role of cities and urban areas in addressing climate change.”  

Al Ulema also had an encouraging message,  stating that cities ‘’can hit near zero with existing technology and available measures.  To make ıt happen we need to boost city skills and access to funding…  Climate strategies need to include fast tracking the energy transition;  fixing climate finance; and putting nature, people lives and livelihoods at the center of climate action, while being fully inclusive.”  

On the other hand Maimunah Mohd Sharif, the Executive Director of UN HABİTAT, had a more sobering message.  ‘’Only 20% of the NDCs (Nationally Determined Contribution)  have clearly defined and costed significant urban content.’’  What makes this particularly alarming is that 55% of the population is living in urban areas.  The urgency of the climate crisis requires effective action now.  Given that the climate crisis largely impacts urban life, cities need to be included in the NDCs.  And climate finance must be made available to cities.

Dana Urch from the  IPCC stated that Net Zero for cities requires DEEP decarbonization.  To this end she highlighted a 3-point  action plan. 

1. Reduce urban energy and material consumption across all sectors.
2. Electrification and switching to net zero emission resources.
3. Enhance urban carbon uptake and stocks.

‘’Efforts must be underpinned by the best available science.  Cities should undertake evidence based urban climate action.’’  İPCC will be publishing a ‘’Special Report on Climate Change and Cities’’ in 2024.

EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) has developed the flagship program  EBRD Green Cities.  EBRD is working directly with cities to identify their environmental challenges and together they develop a green city action plan.  Cities are plagued by insufficient infrastructure investment.  And they are at the forefront of the climate crisis, subjected to heat stress events and extreme weather events.   

The EBRD Green Cities program includes the identification of both policy interventions and infrastructure investments. Currently 60 cities, including Istanbul, are in this program.  The focus of the Istanbul project ıs resilient metro systems.   Funding for the projects, which is a mix of public and private financing,  goes directly to cities.  EBRD encourages the decentralization of cities in decision-making and fiscal action.   EBRD also focuses on continuity across changing administrations.  

COP 28 UAE Youth Delegate Shamma Al Mazrui.  Currently only 8 NDCs mention youth.  There is a need for the meaningful participation of youth in planning processes and decision-making on urban issues.  26 cities conducted local stock takes with youth.  Furthermore, youth need to be prepared for upscale green jobs through climate education.  And youth need more access to finance.  Less than 1% of climate financing supports youth projects.  

Amina J.Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General.  More than 80% of global GDP is generated in cities, as well as 70% of GHG emissions.  As such, cities must be leaders of climate action to keep the temperature rises to 1.5C.  1.5 billion people are living in urban slums.  And they are the MOST vulnerable to extreme weather events.  With 90% of cities located on coastlines; and 70% of the global population living in cities by 2050, urban areas are becoming more critical to the green transformation.  

There is a need for an urban transition plan that drives local climate action and sustainable development with greater ambition and more robust funding at speed and at scale.  International action must be scaled up to support local leaders. “All too often cities are overlooked for funding. Climate and development finance must prioritize communities, including the urban poor and displaced populations migrating to cities to escape destruction of their rural environment and livelihoods by climate-related events..”