W5 - Environmental challenges, climate change and urban policy responses in cities of the Global South

Question 1

Are cities key contributors to climate change? How has this changed?

Answer 1

Yes, urban areas responsible for 70% of global Co2 emissions (Transport and buildings)

Used to be part of the problem, now part of the solution. Relationship between level of urbanisation and emissions/capita is strong but has been consistently declining? Emissions/capita in urban areas is usually lower than national average
It is wealth, not cities that increase emissions, richest 10% responsible for 50% of all emissions

Question 2

Why are urban areas more vulnerable to climate change? set the scene

Answer 2

Urban air pollution accounted for 7mn early deaths
65% of urban population has high level of exposure to climate disasters
Rapidly urbanising cities dont contribute much to global warming, but have little resources so are more vulnerable and least able to respond

Question 3

What groups of informal settlement residents are most vulnerable and why?

Answer 3

Young/old people, disabled

Lack of infrastructure to deal with extreme weather, limited capital to help recover

Question 4

What are the 2 main different interpretations of sustainable development?

Answer 4

Sustainable development of what? the planet or humans

Weak vs strong sustainability have different changes needed
Weak (neoclassical & anthropocentric ) - manmade capital can substitute natural, so as long as we increase man made, can achieve sustainability.
Strong (ecological economics & ecocentric) - Certain forms of natural capital cannot be substituted so they must be preserved even at expense of economic growth

Question 5

Give an overview of the role of cities in tackling climate change, including the mitigation and adaptation strategies

Answer 5

Widely internationally recognised - SDG 13
Half of national level urban policies (NUPS) include climate resilience

Mitigation (reducing emissions)
- promote renewable energy eg. China and solar energy
- Encourage sustainable transport
- Waste reduction and management

Adaptation (preparing for climate effects)
- Flood management system eg. Thames barrier
- Heat resilient infrastructure
- Water conservation measures
Urban planning role- can also address both simultaneously - are they complementary or trade offs?

Question 6

What are the 5 challenges to urban policies in n achieving sustainable development goals and delivering climate action?

Answer 6

• Lack of financial/human capital
• Lack of expertise at the intersection of climate change and urban policy
• Limited co-ordination mechanisms between national and local levels
• Socio-spatial inequalities are not extensively addresses in NUPS
• Insufficient bottom up processes for data collection

Question 7

What are the challenges of climate adaptation in informal settlements? What mechanism can be effective in achieving climate adaption?

Answer 7

• Need to combine socio-economic development and climate resilience
• Informal settlements provide creative solutions eg. urban agriculture

Slum upgrading can be effective in combining mitigation and adaptation efforts and integrating tech, nature based and social solutions.

Question 8

What sources of innovative finance can be used for urban climate change action?

Answer 8

Green bonds
Public-Private Partnerships
Private finance

Question 9

What framework can show conflicts between different goals?

Answer 9

(Campbell) Planner triangle, conflict between environmental protection, economic development and equity.

Planners settle on one goal according to their professional and financial constraints.