Cities are of particular significance for resilience and adaptation as they are concentrations of exposure and risk: most of the world’s population now lives in urban areas. Worldwide, the urban population is projected to increase to 5 billion by 2030, with 95 percent of the expansion expected in developing countries. Cities are also major drivers of economic growth and development. Although cities occupy just 2 percent of land across the world, they are responsible for about 70 percent of global gross domestic product. Political and business leaders in cities need to make climate change adaptation and resilience a clear priority if they are to ensure returns on their investments in growth and development.
This event, part of London Climate Action Week, highlighted the critical importance of adaptation and resilience to sustainable economic development and growth in cities. Jointly hosted by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science, the ESRC Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN), Willis Towers Watson, and the London Climate Change Partnership, it was intended to inform discussions among national and local decision-makers, including business and political leaders participating in the special summit planned by the United Nations Secretary-General in New York in September 2019.
The session was chaired by LCCP Chair Chris Rapley, and included a panel disussion led by Pete Betts of the Grantham Institute.
See the event programme and speaker biographies.
Presentations: