The battle for climate change will be largely won or lost in the cities

SG, Antonio Guteres


Summary for Urban Policymakers is a partnership between

What is the SUP?

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The Summary for Urban Policymakers (SUP) will provide cities and businesses with a clear and accessible view of the findings of the IPCC’s assessment reports.

The SUP is designed to bring out science, policy and implementation experience into climate action.

 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) brings out periodic reports based on the latest and most comprehensive assessment of climate science. Currently, the IPCC is in its Sixth Assessment Cycle (AR6).

The Summary for Urban Policymakers (SUP) initiative is a companion series to the AR6, distilling the latest climate change science for the urban context. The SUP is authored by scientists involved in the creation of the IPCC’s AR6, in their individual capacity and in collaboration with cities and businesses in every region around the globe to inform action at the city scale.

A series of regional and global convenings are scheduled between scientists drafting these reports, and city officials and business representatives.

The convenings will focus on translating the most relevant and up-to-date climate science for urban action, focusing on specific adaptation and mitigation opportunities. The three stakeholder groups will:

  • Review and respond to findings from the IPCC Assessment Report 6 Working Groups to understand the latest climate science
  • Prioritize findings and key action points for city and business decision makers
  • Explore additional avenues for collaborative action

The outcomes of these regional and global discussions will be integrated into the SUP reports.

In addition, derivative products will draw on SUP material, target specific business sectors, regions, or discrete issues crucial to address climate change. These derivative products will also address specific policy and investment recommendations in support of immediate and longer-term action at the local level.

Did you know?

Almost a billion people in coastal and low-lying cities are at risk from climate hazards?

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Cities are hotspots of global warming and climate risk

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Cities have half the world’s population, generate two-thirds of the world economy and emit two-thirds of carbon emissions. Cities are sites of multiple system transitions (energy, land and ecosystems, industries) and present an opportunity for concerted action towards climate-resilient development.

Cities are critical to meet several Sustainable Development Goals.

Building for resilience

Infrastructure in mature, established cities is ageing and exposed to climate risks. Large-scale retrofits are an opportunity to reduce carbon intensity and climate risk.

Urban areas in low- and middle-income countries are expanding. They present an opportunity to avoid unsustainable, energy-intensive development. Low-carbon, climate-resilient urbanization can avoid unsustainable and inequitable development trajectories.

Cities offer huge possibilities for deep decarbonisation.