Page 5 - HUDCO-SHELTER-OCT21

THEME PAPER

FOSTERING URBAN CLIMATE RESILIENCE:

LEVERAGING THE NEW URBAN AGENDA AND SDGS IN CITIES

MS. SERENE VAID More than half of the world’s INTRODUCTION
population currently lives in
MS. ADISHREE PANDA cities and the cities contribute to Cities in India and across the
world are impacted by climate
almost 80% of the global GDP change, both directly through
(World Bank 2020). However, sea level rise (in coastal cities),
a rapid urbanization rate extreme weather events
“The SDG 11 - Sustainable has its associated challenges, (floods or cyclones which have
Cities and Communities - and including accelerated demand disruptive effect on social
SDG 13 - Climate Action - for affordable housing, well- fabric (climate migration),
together lay out targets and connected transport systems, economic activities and
indicators to capture progress and efficient infrastructure industries. Simultaneously,
in reducing vulnerability of services. These systems and cities are also one of the main
urban communities while services further get disrupted by contributors to climate change
developing infrastructure climatic events, such as flooding, due to high greenhouse gas
that is climate resilient. heat waves, and earthquakes, etc. (GHG) emissions. More than
There are a few trade-offs With these rising urbanization 40% of the India’s rapidly
between the two goals, but challenges and climate risks rising emissions have origins
with effective policy making faced by cities, it is imperative in cities, majorly from the
urban transport, buildings,
and urban management, cities for local governments to take construction, and waste
and communities can be made the lead in implementing multi- sectors. India has committed
more sustainable, as well as pronged approaches, including to reduce its GHG emission
help local institutions to spur both climate change mitigation intensity of its GDP by 33-35
climate action.” and adaptation strategies, to per cent below 2005 levels
reduce the risks and especially by 2030 (India’s Intended
strengthen coping capacities Nationally Determined
of vulnerable communities. By Contributions – Towards
Key words: Sustainable Development interweaving the principles and Climate Justice).However,
Goals, New Urban Agenda, Carbon targets of the New Urban Agenda such mitigation strategies in
neutrality, carbon emission, Resilience, (NUA) and the SDGs 11 & 13, isolation will be insufficient
Climate Change. in addressing the challenges
Indian cities can enable different
Ms. Serene Vaid(serene.vaid@un.org) levels of stakeholders, ranging faced by vulnerable
is Urban and Spatial Economy from the local governments to the communities to cope with the
Specialist; and Ms. Adishree Panda citizens, to actively participate urban climate change impacts
(adishree.panda@un.org) is National in urban policy and decision- and will need to be integrated
Project Coordinator, LNOB project, making processes. with adaptation strategies. To
UN-Habitat India. ensure resilience building in

October 2021 V olume 22 No. 2 - SHEL TER 3 3
October 2021 Volume 22 No. 2 - SHELTER