1 May 2018: A side event held on the margins of the Bonn Climate Change Conference, which runs through 10 May, considered ways to close knowledge gaps on human settlements and adaptation, and sought to advance resilience in cities, towns and villages through knowledge. It spotlighted a UNFCCC Secretariat report that details practical ways of adapting to climate change impacts in human settlements.

The report titled, ‘Adaptation in human settlements: key findings and way forward,’ originally published in February 2018, provides evidence of, and guidance and tools for, the coordinated local engagement of national and subnational governments in building climate resilience in collaboration with communities, civil society organizations, research centers and the private sector. Prepared under the Nairobi work programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change (NWP), it shares good practices and lessons learned regarding adaptation in human settlements, and is based on submissions from Parties and organizations, and expert knowledge. Under the NWP, activities related to human settlements and adaptation have reinforced linkages between climate action (SDG 13) and, among others, SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) and SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities).

The report explains that climate change is disproportionately exacerbating the vulnerability of human settlements to hazards globally, especially in developing countries, coastal and delta regions, and small island developing States (SIDS). Thus, it contends, increasing climate resilience of human settlements is critical to protect lives and livelihoods, preserve development gains and promote sustainable development. While cities are taking action to increase resilience, more must be done, including closing knowledge gaps for decision makers and planners at the national and local levels.

The UNFCCC side event sought to provide a “launch pad” for boosting resilience in cities, towns and villages.

The report synthesizes the resilience-building experiences in human settlements by governments and organizations, and the latest research in this area. It concentrates on: assessing vulnerability and integrating short- and long-term climate considerations into adaptation planning; the role of national governments in supporting local adaptation, including through national adaptation plans (NAPs); and city to-city partnerships on adaptation to climate change.

Specific collaborative actions proposed in the report include: drafting supplementary guidance materials to strengthen consideration of human settlements in national adaptation planning and implementation processes; developing South-South city-to-city partnerships by capitalizing on existing initiatives, producing and disseminating information, and monitoring and evaluating local adaptation actions; and strengthening collaboration between local government and the private sector, including insurance companies. It also recommends: strengthening collaboration between local governments and universities or research centers to ensure data, information and knowledge on adaptation are usable by practitioners, decision makers and community members; strengthening collaboration to ensure integrated adaptation and mitigation planning at the local level; and engaging all stakeholders in vulnerability assessment and participatory scenario planning.

The side event titled, ‘Closing Knowledge Gaps on Human Settlements and Adaptation: The Way Forward,’ aimed to build on the report and its findings and to take it forward in concrete terms by providing a “launch pad” for boosting resilience in cities, towns and villages. Convened by the NWP, the side event discussed opportunities to close knowledge gaps related to human settlements and adaptation for decision-makers and planners at the local and national level. It aimed to identify concrete proposals to address knowledge needs in the short and medium term.

The event also sought to, inter alia: increase understanding about existing adaptation knowledge gaps and barriers related to human settlements; discuss opportunities to close these gaps for decision makers and planners at the local and national levels; and identify opportunities for further collaboration among participants, including NWP partners, Parties and the UNFCCC Secretariat. [UNFCCC News Story] [Adaptation in human settlements: key findings and way forward] [Side Event Website]