Science for Cities: Official Launch of the Second UCCRN Assessment Report on Climate Change and Cities (ARC3.2) and the UCCRN Regional Hubs

The Urban Climate Change Research Network (UCCRN) is, at Habitat III, hosting the official launch of its Second Assessment Report on Climate Change and Cities (ARC3.2), published by Cambridge University Press. Authored by 350+ individuals, it is the second in an ongoing series of global, interdisciplinary, cross-regional, science-based assessments to address climate risks, adaptation, mitigation, and policy mechanisms relevant to cities.

Cities continue to act as world leaders in climate action. Several major climate change assessment efforts are in full swing, at a crucial stage where significant opportunities for the co-production of knowledge between researchers and stakeholders exist. The IPCC has placed unprecedented attention on cities and urbanization and their connection to the issue of climate change, especially with the upcoming IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities.

The objective of this event is foster a dialogue between national and local policy leaders and scientists regarding key climate action areas, and to simultaneously present state-of-the-science knowledge on how cities are responding to climate change, defining emerging opportunities and challenges to the effective placement of this knowledge in the hands of local stakeholders and decision-makers.
The ARC3.2 launch presentation will include key scientific findings from urban climate change scholars around the world, including the latest climate projections for 100 cities. It will highlight emerging knowledge from ARC3.2 chapters on Equity and Environmental Justice; Governance and Policy; Urban Planning and Design; Urban Ecosystems and Biodiversity; Disasters and Risk in Cities; Urban Transportation; Urban Energy; Urban Water Systems; Urban Health; Urban Solid Waste Management; Housing and Informal Settlements; and Economics, Finance, and the Private Sector.

The 700-page ARC3.2 manuscript contains 100+ City Case Studies on vulnerability, adaptation, mitigation, and building resilience in urban areas, so cities can learn from one another. ARC3.2 also contains a Summary for City Leaders, providing major scientific findings of the report and identifying key recommendations for action at the local level. The ARC3.2 Summary for City Leaders was released at the Climate Summit for Local Leaders at COP21. Forewords for the ARC3.2 report are written by Joan Clos, Executive Director of UN-Habitat; Mayor Anne Hidalgo of Paris; Mayor Eduardo Paes of Rio de Janeiro; and Mayor James Nxumalo of Durban.

The UCCRN will also present the knowledge-generating processes and evolving next steps for the UCCRN Regional Hubs in Europe, Latin America, Australia, Africa, and Asia. The rationale for the discussion will be to identify methods and approaches to further foster the development of climate change action in cities, and knowledge and information that will be useful for cities, in both developing and developed country context.
Experts presenting at the Launch event will include ARC3.2 authors, some of whom are also lead authors involved in the urban chapters of the Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) of the IPCC; city practitioners; and local government officials and invited Mayors from cities featured in the ARC3.2 report and in UCCRN Regional Hub locations.