With three quarters of the world's population soon to be concentrated in them, cities are on the front line of climate risk.
Melting poles, fires, hurricanes... The climate threat is often seen as a global problem, but global warming is also changing the face of Europe's cities.
On World Cities Day 2021, Guterres called for a renewed determination to tackle urban challenges, manage risks and find sustainable solutions. He said cities can lead transformative action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and build a carbon-free, climate-resilient and socially just world. He also noted that "resilient infrastructure, early warning systems and financial instruments that mitigate risks are all essential tools for cities as they strive to adapt and protect the lives and livelihoods of their residents."
Of course, the increase in risk is obvious. However, it would be objective to also mention the actions carried out in the past in the name of progress, such as the destruction of wetlands, mangroves and hedgerows, which retain water, and the levelling of dunes, natural defences. The result of economic interests, imprudent urbanisation and the absence of warning systems, these development choices increase our vulnerability.
As the melting of the ice caps raises sea levels, as extreme weather events (storms, droughts, heat waves, floods) become more frequent, they are likely to be all the more devastating because they will benefit from urbanisation designed in spite of common sense.
Disasters have a cost and 2021 is the fourth most expensive year for insurance companies since 1970. Storm Ida alone, which hit New York with heavy flooding, cost insurers between $30 billion and $32 billion.
In Europe, the floods in Germany and Belgium this summer cost insurance companies $13 billion, but in total the disaster represents economic losses of around $40 billion.
In this context, it is better not to have a short memory and to keep a constant watch on the situation.
According to a study by Knight Frank, Paris is among the top five cities in the world in terms of sustainable development, along with London, New York, Seoul and Tokyo. The reduction in GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions from European cities is also encouraging.
The consolidation of data from 1,800 European cities and 90 million inhabitants shows a 25% reduction in their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions between 2005 and 2017, surpassing the European States' 2020 target of -20%.
A region like Occitania wants to become the first positive energy region in Europe, intends to deploy a "Green Pact", and details nearly 300 concrete measures divided into 10 thematic action plans.
Over the past three decades, more than 600 local governments across the United States have adopted their own climate action plans setting greenhouse gas reduction targets. These commitments are in addition to the US commitment to the 2015 Paris Agreement.
While some have been successful, others are struggling to keep up.
Austin, for example, has managed to reduce its building emissions by 20% despite a growing population, but has seen an increase in transport emissions between 2010 and 2018.
Phoenix reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 0.5% between 2012 and 2018, but over the same period its population grew by 12%.
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In total, only 45 of the 100 largest US cities have adopted a serious climate commitment, and two-thirds of them have not met their targets.
Due to climate change and pollution, entire cities on the continent are at risk of disappearing. A new vision of urban planning is therefore absolutely necessary in Africa.
Between high birth rates and rural exodus, Africa is home to 86 of the world's 100 fastest growing cities. At least 79 of them - including 15 capitals! - are facing extreme risks due to climate change.
The Libyan city of Sebha is in danger of disappearing. Rich in hydrocarbons, it had nevertheless become the largest agglomeration in the Sahara. Subjected to very strong demographic pressure, the city is now doomed. Soon the lack of water will empty it of its inhabitants. Its territory will have to be returned to nature.
The 13.2 million inhabitants of Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, are already regular victims of flooding. They will be twice as many in 2035. In Ethiopia, the number of city dwellers will increase from 24 to 74 million in the next three decades. Egypt's urban population will then reach 85 million, compared to 43 million today. So much so that the authorities are considering creating a new capital to relieve the urban hell of Cairo.
The thinking must be reversed, to find a balance between population, resources and territory. Africa must reinvent the city in the 21st century and it is urgent that it establishes itself as a laboratory for architectural and urban experimentation.
In conclusion, while many cities remain helpless in the face of extreme weather events - with some regions such as the Asia-Pacific being even more affected than others - there is nonetheless a real awareness and many actions are being implemented to better manage resources. The smart city is on the move and it is a top priority.