The Urgent Need for Climate Action in Cities
Cities are at the forefront of the climate crisis, both as major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and as vulnerable frontline communities facing the devastating impacts of a changing climate. Home to over half the global population, cities consume more than 80% of the world’s energy and produce around 60% of carbon emissions. Yet cities also hold immense potential as hubs of innovation, where sustainable solutions can be tested and scaled.
Water scarcity is one of the most pressing climate challenges facing urban areas worldwide. As global temperatures rise and precipitation patterns become more erratic, cities are struggling to secure reliable, safe water supplies for their growing populations. This crisis is exacerbated by rapid urbanization, aging water infrastructure, and unsustainable resource management practices.
Vulnerable communities within cities – the urban poor, marginalized groups, and informal settlements – often bear the brunt of water scarcity, lacking access to basic water and sanitation services. Addressing this inequity must be a central pillar of any urban climate adaptation strategy.
Confronting water scarcity in cities requires a multifaceted, collaborative approach that draws on the expertise and resources of local governments, community organizations, the private sector, and international partners. This article explores innovative case studies and best practices from around the world, highlighting how cities are building resilience and advancing climate justice through sustainable water management.
Reinventing Urban Water Systems
Cities are pioneering bold approaches to secure water supplies and protect critical water resources in the face of climate change. A prime example is Lima, Peru, one of the few megacities located in a desert. The city has turned to innovative fog-harvesting technology and automated irrigation systems to address its chronic water scarcity, while also reforesting surrounding areas and monitoring illegal activities that threaten water sources.
Importantly, Lima has ensured local community participation in these efforts, empowering residents to help protect essential water resources. This community-driven approach is crucial for building trust, strengthening social cohesion, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of climate solutions.
Similarly, the city of Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt has seized the opportunity of hosting the COP28 climate conference to showcase its commitment to sustainability. The city has installed solar rooftops on hotels and small-scale photovoltaic systems in key infrastructure, reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and demonstrating the feasibility of renewable energy integration in urban settings.
These examples illustrate how cities can leverage their unique assets and local expertise to develop context-specific solutions that address water scarcity and climate adaptation. By empowering community stakeholders and embracing renewable energy, cities are not only building resilience but also advancing broader sustainability and equity goals.
Strengthening Climate Governance in Cities
Effective climate governance is essential for translating global climate commitments into locally relevant action. Cities around the world are rising to this challenge, developing comprehensive climate plans and strategies to guide their adaptation and mitigation efforts.
In Malaysia, the national government has launched the Low Carbon City Framework Programme, engaging 64 local authorities in crafting strategies and action plans for low-carbon initiatives within their jurisdictions. This approach has enabled cities like Kuala Lumpur, Iskandar Malaysia, Seberang Perai, and Melaka to develop tailored climate plans and track their progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
In Uganda, the youth-led startup Yo-Waste has partnered with local governments in Kampala and Entebbe to ensure proper waste collection and disposal, particularly during the rainy season when improper waste management can exacerbate flooding and health risks. This initiative not only improves environmental outcomes but also provides stable incomes for young urban residents, contributing to local economic growth.
Meanwhile, in Türkiye, the government has supported the development of Local Climate Change Action Plans (YİDEP) to integrate climate concerns into municipal development planning. This initiative includes the creation of an online climate change portal (e-YİDEP) and regional vulnerability assessments to enhance data accessibility, monitoring, and consistency across Turkish cities.
These examples demonstrate how strong multilevel climate governance – with active collaboration between national, regional, and local authorities – can empower cities to craft tailored solutions and drive progress on global climate goals. By involving diverse stakeholders, building institutional capacity, and leveraging digital tools, cities can develop robust, inclusive climate action plans that meet the unique needs of their communities.
Financing Urban Climate Resilience
Securing adequate and sustainable financing is a critical challenge for cities aiming to implement climate adaptation measures. International climate funds and development assistance can play a crucial role in supporting urban resilience efforts, but accessing these resources remains a hurdle for many municipalities.
The Joint Action for Water initiative, for example, has provided funding and technical support to local governments and community organizations working to improve water security and sanitation services in underserved urban areas. By channeling resources directly to the local level, the program has empowered grassroots actors to develop and scale innovative, community-driven solutions.
Similarly, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched various initiatives to support climate action in urban areas, including efforts to enhance data and information sharing, build institutional capacity, and facilitate multi-stakeholder partnerships. These initiatives recognize that cities require tailored support and a diverse array of financing mechanisms to address their unique climate vulnerabilities.
Beyond international assistance, cities are also exploring innovative ways to mobilize domestic resources and engage the private sector in financing climate resilience. Some cities, for example, have introduced green bonds, carbon pricing mechanisms, or public-private partnerships to fund investments in sustainable infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and disaster risk reduction measures.
Ultimately, securing adequate and equitable financing for urban climate resilience will require a concerted effort from all levels of government, as well as robust collaboration with the private sector, civil society, and international development partners. By leveraging diverse funding streams and empowering local stakeholders, cities can unlock the resources needed to tackle water scarcity and build a more sustainable, climate-resilient future.
Empowering Communities for Climate Adaptation
Effective climate adaptation in cities must be anchored in the needs and priorities of local communities, particularly those disproportionately impacted by water scarcity and other climate risks. By empowering community stakeholders and integrating local knowledge, cities can develop more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable solutions.
One powerful example is the Eden in Iraq project, a wastewater design initiative in the Iraqi marshlands. Sponsored by the non-profit organization Nature Iraq and the Institute of Ecotechnics, the project aims to provide environmental and cultural regeneration through the construction of a sustainable wetland system and the design of a culturally-inspired marshland garden. By involving local communities in the planning and implementation, the project ensures that the unique needs and values of the Marsh Arab people are reflected in the climate adaptation efforts.
Similarly, in Jordan, the government’s climate policies have sought to address the needs of marginalized groups, such as migrant workers, sectarian minorities, and the Bidoon population, who are especially vulnerable to the impacts of water scarcity and rising temperatures. While progress has been slow, efforts to promote social inclusion and equity within climate adaptation strategies are crucial for building long-term resilience.
Engaging local communities also enables the incorporation of traditional ecological knowledge and culturally-appropriate solutions. For example, in Tunisia, grassroots movements like the Manish Msab (I am not a landfill) youth initiative have raised awareness and pushed for improved waste management practices, which are vital for addressing water scarcity and other climate-related challenges.
By prioritizing community engagement, cities can ensure that their climate adaptation efforts are responsive to local needs, build trust and social cohesion, and leverage the expertise and resourcefulness of frontline communities. This inclusive, participatory approach is essential for achieving equitable, sustainable, and climate-resilient urban development.
Conclusion: Scaling Up Urban Climate Action
As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, cities have emerged as crucial battlegrounds in the fight for a sustainable future. Tackling water scarcity is one of the most pressing challenges facing urban areas, requiring innovative, collaborative approaches that draw on the strengths of local governments, community organizations, and international partners.
From pioneering water management solutions to strengthening climate governance and mobilizing financing, cities around the world are demonstrating the power of local action to address global environmental challenges. By empowering marginalized communities, integrating traditional knowledge, and fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships, cities can develop climate adaptation strategies that are both effective and equitable.
As the Joint Action for Water initiative and other programs have shown, supporting and scaling up these community-driven climate solutions is essential for building resilient, sustainable, and inclusive cities. By harnessing the ingenuity and resilience of urban populations, we can unlock the immense potential of cities to lead the way in tackling the climate crisis and securing a better future for all.
