Climate Change and its Effects on Cities: An Overview from Development Cooperation Perspective

Table of Contents

1) Global urbanization and Climate Change

2) International initiatives on cities and climate change

including leading cities in Arab region and Africa

3) What’s about Egypt?

1) Global urbanization has become an irreversible trend

World population estimates from 1800 to 2100, based on UN 2010 projections (red, orange, green) and US Census Bureau historical estimates (black).

3.5 billion live in Urban areas today, expected to be 8 billion by 2025

1) cities interact with climate change in 3 dimensions

Cit

ies

…

contributing to climate change

Cit

ies

…

vulnerable to climate change

Cit

ies

…

possessing the potential to mitigate and to adapt to climate change

Cities: a part of the problem, vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, a

part of the solution and even a solution to more than climate change

Cities need an integrated approach that considers mitigation, adaptation and

urban development

Urban Energy Demand Energy Production

1) Cities: A part of the climate change problem

Rising GHG levels

Waste Management

Urban transportation

1) Effects of urbanization processes affects local and regional scales

Cleugh and Grimmond (2012) in Future World Climates. Global impact :global warmingMicro climate impacts: affecting urban environment

1) Cities: vulnerable to the impacts of climate change

• Extreme weather events damage buildings

and urban infrastructure

• Coastal cities affected by sea level rise

• Water resources stress: floods and

droughts

• Human Health – Heat and cold waves -

malaria; waterborne diseases; polluted

water

• Food Security – Livelihoods – Tourism

• Climate refugees move to urban slums

1) Cities: vulnerable to the impacts of climate change (Cont.)

• Heat–related diseases like heart attacks

and asthma

• Electricity shortages

• Government expenses (e.g., road

maintenance, emergency response)

• Animals and plants may become

stressed

• Rivers, lakes, and wetlands may

become more polluted

• Invasive species and pests may

become a bigger problem

1) Cities: A Part of the Solution

• Integration and building synergy between mitigation and adaptation on the city level has two complementary approaches• Improve Local Government operations• Set policies to change community’s habits

• Examples• Mitigation: promote energy efficiency, public transportation, solid management and &

recycling and renewables• Adaptation: promote green spaces, green buildings, rooftop farming and early warning

systems

Mitigation Adaptation

1) Cities: A Solution to More than Climate Change

• The co-benefits of climate protection

• save money

• reduce air pollution and traffic congestion

• improve public health and urban livability

• green the city

• boost local economic development

1) Cities need an integrated approach that considers mitigation, adaptation and urban development

The improvement of city services is related to the ability of cities to adapt to climate change and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Cities with excellent services are generally resilient cities:

• Advanced drainage systems can alleviate flooding during intense storms

• Healthcare services are equipped to respond to emergency situations

• Warning systems and transportation infrastructure allow citizens to evacuate in response to risk

2) International Initiatives of “Cities and Climate Change”

• GIZ assists its partners in identifying the wide range of causes of environmental risks. It implements climate policy guidelines through a wide range of practical measures in partner countries.

• UNEP ( Campaign on Cities and Climate Change)

• UN-HABITAT (UN-Habitat's Cities and Climate Change Initiative (CCCI))

• Cities Alliance (Supporting Cities in Addressing Climate Change Challenges: Enhancing Joint Work among Cities Alliance Members)

• Municipal associations such as C40, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) and ICLEI

• Rockefeller Foundation:(100RC) is dedicated to helping cities around the world become more resilient to the physical, social and economic challenges

2) Leading Cities, act on Climate Change

Example: Cities took part in Rockefeller 100 resilient cities initiative

Arab Region

• Ramallah: recent municipal projects, including residential postal codes, GPS navigation system and emergency response networks

Africa

• Dakar : working to address the effects of climate change and implement innovative solutions to address frequent water shortages and energy disruptions.

• Durban: exploring ways to adapt institutions, systems, and processes in order to facilitate integrated, innovative, and flexible planning

3) What’s about Egypt?

Aspects we have to think about…..

Anticipated Climate Change Impacts on Egypt and its urban

areas

Example: Climate change adaptation in informal urban

settlements

Types of adaptation measures under climate conditions of

Greater Cairo

3) Anticipated Climate Change Impacts on Egypt

Egypt's National Communications as well as many other national, regional and international reports and papers identified the following sectors as the main vulnerable sectors due to climate change impacts:

1. Coastal Zones

2. Water Resources

3. Agriculture sector

• Extreme Weather Events (flash floods, heat waves…etc., which does vary according to the geographical position) Nile Inflow

ChangesHotter & Drier

Weather

Sea Level Rise

Flash floods and SLR

3) Anticipated Climate Change Impacts on Egypt’s urban areas

Cities are affected by direct /indirect impacts

heat/cold waves (direct/ Indirect Impacts health conditions, food security, energy consumption, tourism and infrastructure)

SLR (Indirect impact/ food security)

Nile flow fluctuations (direct/ Indirect impacts/ health conditions and food security)

Most vulnerable groups: elder people, children, women, poor, people working in open areas

Most vulnerable areas: Informal settlements due to their physical conditions (exposure) + residents’ (un) preparedness (sensitivity)

3) Do Egyptian cities consider climate change?

• Good news: • Environmental profiles for each governorate is exist and done by EEAA• Cairo is partner with many cities around the world such as Frankfurt and

taking part in many international initiatives on climate change such as C40• Some efforts exist in Cairo and Alexandria cities such as studying SLR

impacts on Alexandria by different institutions and PDP initiative to study climate change impacts on urban informal areas in Cairo.

• Bad News:• We could not find information about the governorates visions for

environment, climate change or sustainable development on their websites or published reports.

• Benefits from cities partnerships are not clear yet.• Cities efforts are not collected in one inventory (NC could be the right place!)

Therefore, AB-CCC role is highly important!

3) Example: Climate change adaptation in informal urban settlements

GIZ/PDP approach as follows:

Assessing the areas’ exposure: analyzing climate data for past and future

Assessing the residents’ vulnerabilities and adaptive capacities; this includes collecting geographical and socioeconomic data

Raising awareness based on local findings and international knowledge

Implementing adaptation measures with participation of the community

Sharing knowledge & experiences with our partners (EEAA, IDSC, EMA, UUUs, etc.) such as Heat Early Warning Systems etc.

Heat Release Potential Ezbet El-Nasr

Building Texture and Green Cover Ezbet El-Nasr

3) Example of adaptation measures: 1st pilot measure: Roof Top Garden/Farming

Expected benefits• Increased income generation• Enlarged food affordability and safety• Improved local air quality in the direct

surrounding of the plot• Cooled buildings by absorption of solar

radiation and shadowing• Establishment of private green areas• Awareness raising among local

population on environmental issues

Implementation• Cooperation with NGOs in Ezbet Elnasr• Residents’ eligibility (time, space, share

by 10% of the cost)• Trainings

3) Types of adaptation measures under climate conditions of Greater Cairo

• Awareness: Information campaigns related to impacts • Heat Wave Action Plan: Heat Wave Warning System • Urban agriculture: Rooftop Farming and/or Community Gardening

(open spaces) • Greening open spaces: planting campaigns • Climate-friendly energy: Wind/solar equipment tools • Green home retro-fitting: improved ventilation inside buildings and

isolation of housing • Green Economy & Finance: Green micro-insurance scheme for

covering risks provoked by climate change impacts• Adaptation measures concerning the impacts of climate change on

local economy and labor conditions

3) Types of adaptation measures under climate conditions of other Cities in Egypt

Any thoughts…….

Participatory Development Program in Urban Areas (PDP)                                                                      

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbHComponent “Climate Change Adaptation in Informal Urban Areas”

  www.egypt-urban.de

www.urbanet.info www.giz.de

Thank You!