There are quite a few challenges that our society must face in the coming years, but there is one that we are already facing: Climate Change. Rising temperatures, increasingly weather events, sea level rise among others effects have become a daily reality for populations in urban centers. Additionally, the rapid urbanization is affecting the environment. Climate Change is a real threat and we must take action now.
How can we face the challenge if we are already living it? There are a lot of opportunities for improvement in the era of urbanization while tackling climate change. Building sustainable infrastructure is key to underline the importance of backing up cities that could and are being affected by severe extreme weather patterns.
Cities allow for unique approaches that foster co benefits, the next five years will set the guidelines and frame for compact urban centers in which planning will spur transportation solutions thought in synergy with housing and basic services. Decisions made today in the next 5 years “may determine up to one-third of the remaining carbon budget at the global level and will also determine the vulnerability of city dwellers and urban infrastructure to climate impacts”.
In order to tackle possible negative urbanization in developing-countries we must well-managed and well-planned cities to generate sustainable growth. Synergies between the energy, the city and land use sector are crucial. Different options have been made available and keep on gaining track on the energy side, but cities seem to face a very complex set of issues but if addressed, they can also deliver the most efficient and results driven solutions.
Nonetheless financing infrastructure in cities is not an easy task. The IDB launched a report “Financing the New Urban Agenda: The Challenges of Financing Sustainable Urban Infrastructure an Urban Development Facility” during Habitat III. The concept note describes the different problems faced by sub national authorities to invest in infrastructure and the need to explain the opportunity that low carbon and resilient infrastructure represents if taken into account in their planning.
Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure should be a priority in Latin America and the Caribbean given the vulnerability of cities to extreme weather events associated with climate change. As the global population grows and urbanizes, the demand for infrastructure estimates that to 2030, the requirement for new infrastructure assets will be US$90 trillion.
#COP22 is happening right now at Marrakech. Leaders, head of governments and organizations are reunited to showcase the importance of implementing This Paris Agreement. Cities are at the center of the global action. Why? Because urban areas represent 70% of energy-related global emissions. Governments at all level need to take into account infrastructure issues but they must plan this closely with minister of environment.
At the IDB are trying to bring these two agendas together. Ministries of Environment and Ministries of Finance should be working together reinforcing the urgency of delivering scaled-up investments. With the early entry into force of the Paris Agreement, the success of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, countries should acknowledge the importance of tackling climate change with sustainable infrastructure. The road to a more sustainable development is just around the corner and the only thing left is commit to take action!
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