A new report by CDP is warning that 1 in 3 cities risk being let down by government policy in their efforts to adapt to climate change.

According to new analysis conducted by CDP, the non-profit which runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions, more than a quarter of cities (246 out of 965) say reaching their emissions reduction targets relies on policy outside their control. 

Nearly 1/3 of reporting cities (298 out of 965) say their ability to adapt to climate change impacts depends on factors influenced by different levels of government, such as funding or lack of legislation. 

This highlights how successful climate action in cities - which produce 70% of the world’s carbon emissions and are home to more than half (55%) its population - is determined by national and regional governments, and demonstrates the need for all levels of government to work closely together.

The analysis in Working Together To Beat The Climate Crisis is based on responses to the CDP-ICLEI Unified Reporting System from 965 cities, and 136 states and regions.

It shows that whilst cities, states and regions are already working with all levels of governments, and with businesses,  a significant change in levels of collaboration is needed for further tangible climate action to be taken.

Glasgow, the host city of COP26, provides an example of greater collaboration starting to take place, as it is incorporating the Scottish Government's energy efficiency target in its city master plan.

This highlights how successful climate action in cities - which produce 70% of the world’s carbon emissions and are home to more than half (55%) its population - is determined by national and regional governments, and demonstrates the need for all levels of government to work closely together.
 
Encouragingly, the analysis shows the vast majority of states and regions are collaborating on climate action, or intend to do so in the next two years. Over 90% of states and regions (123 out of 136) are, or will be, collaborating with national government, with 88% doing so with local government (120 out of 136).  For example, the region of Turkana in Kenya is working with local government to develop and manage shared projects, such as water point rangelands.
 
Nevertheless, the analysis shows that cities urgently need more support with their climate action from all levels of government. Based on a proportion of the responses to the 2021 CDP-ICLEI Unified Reporting System, cities are asking national governments to: 

• Help finance emissions reductions and adaptation, so cities can tap into public and private investment
• Enable and encourage innovation
• Decarbonise electricity grids and transport systems 
• Develop robust decarbonisation policies and regulation across all sectors to incentivise low-carbon activities and behaviour.

CDP is calling for cities, states and regions to take the below actions, and for collaboration across all government levels and business to implement them: 

Set science-based climate targets to maintain a global temperature rise of 1.5°C, including an interim target, and develop a climate action plan to support target implementation.

To date, only 20% of cities, and 10% of states and regions, globally say that their target is aligned with a 1.5°C pathway. CDP urges all cities, states and regions to set a science-based target and join the UN-backed global campaign, Race to Zero.

Undertake a climate risk and vulnerability assessment (CRVA) to identify climate risks - and at risk communities, infrastructure, and resources - and create an adaptation plan to manage them. CDP urges all cities, states and regions to join the UN-backed global campaign, Race to Resilience.

Working jointly with the private sector is also a priority for cities, states and regions to deliver strong climate action.

Three quarters of cities (726 out of 965) and nearly two thirds of states and regions (89 out of 136) are collaborating, or intend to do so in the next two years, with businesses in sectors such as energy efficiency, transport and waste. 

The greater access to funding, resources and innovation this collaboration creates will ultimately help drive climate action, such as in Italy, where insurance company, Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A., is using its risk modelling expertise to help develop climate mitigation strategies.

 
Working Together To Beat The Climate Crisis showcases successful collaboration between cities, states and regions, different levels of government, and business across five continents. Looking at Brazil, Italy, Japan, Kenya, the United Kingdom and the U.S., it demonstrates how collaboration results in action, in areas from water security to decarbonisation.

“Mission critical for cities, states and regions go further and faster on climate action”

Kyra Appleby, Global Director, Cities, States and Regions at CDP, said: 
 
“Day in, day out, we are seeing the devastating effects of climate change, from wildfires to floods. Ahead of COP26, the world is now on its final wake-up call to take bold, swift and decisive action to tackle climate change.  
 
“With over half the world’s population living in cities, it’s clear they are a fundamental piece of the puzzle in combatting the climate crisis. But all actors must work together to deliver effective climate action at the scale and pace required. 
 
“It is mission critical that cities, states and regions go further and faster on climate action, collaborating with all levels of government and business. They must set science-based targets to keep the world on the narrow path of a 1.5°C temperature rise, and conduct climate risk and vulnerability assessments, implementing these steps by working together with government and private sector partners.”
 
Maryke van Staden, Director of carbonn Climate Center at ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, commented:
 
“Multilevel action and collaboration must be at the heart of a just, inclusive, holistic and nature-friendly transition towards climate neutrality and a sustainable future for cities, towns and regions around the world. Immediate action is needed to stop global greenhouse gas emissions, avoid new emissions, design resilient infrastructure and switch to green, sustainable energy.
 
“Increasingly national governments are including local and regional governments in their plans. But at this critical junction as we approach COP26, all levels of government must work together to raise targets and enhance vertically integrated NDC implementation and investment plans.”

CDP has prepared the data and analysis in the report based on responses to the Cities 2021 Questionnaire and the States and Regions 2020 and 2021 Questionnaires.

Click here to download Working Together To Beat The Climate Crisis