Anaclodia Rossbach, executive director of the UN Agency for Habitat Affairs (UN-Habitat), says no urban dweller can live without being affected by it.
Billions of people will face warmer temperatures or face flooding and other risks.
The report shows that there is a huge gap between financial needs and availability of existing funds to sustain infrastructure in cities.
According to one estimate, cities need a total investment of $450 billion to $5400 billion per year to build climate-resilient systems.
But, currently only $831 billion is available, far short of the required amount. Because of this, cities and the population are forced to live in unsafe conditions in them are increasingly vulnerable to risk.
Impact on the most vulnerable
The head of the United Nations agency noted that cities are not taking steps to cope with the challenges posed by climate change. Forced to live in precarious conditions and at risk, people must constantly contend with adversity.
“Informal settlements and slums are usually located in environmentally sensitive areas and lack protective infrastructure. “They often have to bear the brunt of climate-related disasters or extreme events.”
Executive Director Anaclodia Rossbach said these communities facing vulnerable situations are not only more vulnerable to risk, but also less likely to receive assistance after a disaster strikes.
In view of this, he called for rapid transformation of slums, informal settlements and prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable areas of the city.
Green space is shrinking
Due to poor management of urban expansion, green areas often shrink, leading to other pressures. Globally, the share of green space in urban areas has declined from an average of 19.5 percent in 1990 to 13.9 percent in 2020.
It is alarming that measures implemented to protect against climate change have either failed to protect vulnerable populations or worsened their situation.
For example, measures such as the construction of parks in an area often force poor families to move, or increases in property values make it difficult for them to live there.
Urban areas, part of the solution
Amid the growing climate crisis, cities are grappling with many challenges. In view of this, experts feel that urban areas should be seen not only as a problem but also as a solution.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres wrote in the introduction to the report that reducing greenhouse gas emissions in cities, adapting to the effects of climate change and ensuring sustainable support for urban populations will be critical.
This requires bold investment, effective planning and design.
He said hundreds of cities are creating inclusive green spaces, reducing emissions through smart plans and increasing the use of renewable energy in transport and other services.