Climate Change and Human Settlements

1. Climate Change and Human Settlements Dr. Markandey Rai UN-HABITAT Nairobi, Kenya

2. Human Settlements • For the first time in the history of humanity that it has now become an urban specie where more than half of humanity lives in an urban environment - cities and towns. • Cities are the greatest legacy of humanity and greatest achievement of our civilization. • Around the world and through the centuries, cities have endured and survived wars, famine, natural disasters, and the disappearances of the gods, kings and queens for whom they were built. • Better City, Better Life - theme of WHD 2010

3. Strategic steps for Better, City Better Life • We are smart but we have to be smarter • Improve the quality of life • Invest in human capital • Foster sustainable economic opportunity • Enhance political inclusion • Promote cultural inclusion

4. Natural disasters • 117 Million people suffered from some 300 natural disasters in the pasted year • Devastating drought in China and Africa • Massive flooding in Asia and Africa costing $15 billion

5. Human Settlements and Climate Change • 75% of commercial energy is consumed in urban and semi-urban areas • 80% of all waste is generated from cities • 60% of Greenhouse Gas Emission emanate from cities

6. Climate Change at a glance • Sea levels are rising twice as fast as forecasted • Threatening hundreds of millions of people living in deltas, low-lying areas and small island states • Threat of sea-level rise to cities is only one piece of puzzle • More extreme weather patterns such as intense storms are another

7. Impact of Climate Change • Impact will be felt more strongly in years to come • When sea levels rise just more than one meter many major coastal cities will be under threat: • Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Los Angeles, New York, Lagos, Alexandria-Cairo, Mumbai, Kolkata, Dhaka, Shanghai, Osaka-Kobe and Tokyo …etc.

8. Impact of Climate Change • Many smaller coastal cities especially in developing counties and small island will suffer most • Climate refugees from rural areas aggravate the migration to cities • UN predicts that millions of people will migrate by 2020 due to climate change as major driver.

9. The Impacts of Climate Changeon Cities • Extreme weather events damage buildings and urban infrastructure • Coastal cities affected by sea level rise • Water resources stress: floods and droughts • Human Health – malaria; waterborne diseases; polluted water • Food Security – Livelihoods – Tourism • Climate refugees move to urban slums

10. < Sea Level Rise Landslides > v Tropical cyclones Flooding v

11. Cities and Climate Change • How serious the crisis is when it comes to cities and climate change? • How do we tackle the impact of climate change in cities where half of us live is a challenge? • Cities are front line actors in carbon emissions and climate change

12. We are the problem and we are the solution • UN-HABITAT analysis shows that rational land use planning, green building codes and energy efficient transport options have proven, to date, to be amongst the most effective measures that can be taken to reduce energy consumption and emissions. • Together with waste recycling these are the most promising at reducing the ecological footprint of cities

13. Urban planning – Sustainable building Urban transport modes – Renewable energy generation

14. Vulnerability of Human Settlements • More than half world’s population lives within 60 km of the sea • Three quarters of all cities are located on the coast • Most of the urban population resides in vulnerable areas which are ill-equipped for adaptation • 1 billion population living in slums are likely to become environmental refugees

15. Adaptation & Mitigation • Adaptation = To manage the un-avoidable • Mitigation = To avoid the un-manageable • Adaptation and Mitigation are interconnected and mutually supportive

16. Adaptation • Adaptation capacity to face the impact is needed to respond climate change • Adaptation requires wealth, technology, decision making capabilities, human capital, social capital, risk spreading, ability to manage information etc

17. UN-HABITAT’s Role • UN is playing a unique role in addressing climate change • UN efforts to strengthen in mitigation, adaptation and technology transfer should not be compromised • UN-HABITAT supports national and local authorities to cope with the impact of climate change • Working in over 100 cities globally through various programmes

18. UN-HABITAT’S Programmes • Sustainable Cities Programme • Localizing Agenda 21 • Cities and Climate Change • Sustainable Urban Development Network (SUD-Net) • Cities and Climate Change Initiative (CCCI) • World Urban Campaign

19. Climate Change Challenge and Mitigation • Challenge provides opportunities • Most severe impacts on vulnerable populations who have contributed the least to the problem • Addressing Climate change improves in economies, governance, and aids in achieving the MDG’s • Requires much greater international support and solidarity • Additional 1% of the GDP of rich country in 2015

20. Conclusion • Climate change may unite the international community • Climate change is a threat to humankind • People’s participation can bridge the gap • If cities are the part of problem then they must be part of the solution • Local authorities can find local answers to global challenges • Governments need an accurate and objective assessment of climate science in order to devise policies • UN-IPPC meet in Bussan, South Korea, is the best opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to climate science

21. Thank you!