1. Climate Change and Human Settlements
Dr. Markandey Rai
UN-HABITAT
Nairobi, Kenya

2. Human Settlements
For the first time in the history of humanity that it has now become an urban specie where more than half of humanity lives in an urban environment - cities and towns.
Cities are the greatest legacy of humanity and greatest achievement of our civilization.
Around the world and through the centuries, cities have endured and survived wars, famine, natural disasters, and the disappearances of the gods, kings and queens for whom they were built.
Better City, Better Life - theme of WHD 2010

3. Strategic steps for Better, City Better Life
We are smart but we have to be smarter
Improve the quality of life
Invest in human capital
Foster sustainable economic opportunity
Enhance political inclusion
Promote cultural inclusion

4. Natural disasters
117 Million people suffered from some 300 natural disasters in the pasted year
Devastating drought in China and Africa
Massive flooding in Asia and Africa costing $15 billion

5. Human Settlements and Climate Change
75% of commercial energy is consumed in urban and semi-urban areas
80% of all waste is generated from cities
60% of Greenhouse Gas Emission emanate from cities

6. Climate Change at a glance
Sea levels are rising twice as fast as forecasted
Threatening hundreds of millions of people living in deltas, low-lying areas and small island states
Threat of sea-level rise to cities is only one piece of puzzle
More extreme weather patterns such as intense storms are another

7. Impact of Climate Change
Impact will be felt more strongly in years to come
When sea levels rise just more than one meter many major coastal cities will be under threat:
Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Los Angeles, New York, Lagos, Alexandria-Cairo, Mumbai, Kolkata, Dhaka, Shanghai, Osaka-Kobe and Tokyo …etc.

8. Impact of Climate Change
Many smaller coastal cities especially in developing counties and small island will suffer most
Climate refugees from rural areas aggravate the migration to cities
UN predicts that millions of people will migrate by 2020 due to climate change as major driver.

9. The Impacts of Climate Change on Cities
Extreme weather events damage buildings and urban infrastructure
Coastal cities affected by sea level rise
Water resources stress: floods and droughts
Human Health – malaria; waterborne diseases; polluted water
Food Security – Livelihoods – Tourism
Climate refugees move to urban slums

10. < Sea Level Rise
Landslides >
v Tropical cyclones
Flooding v

11. Cities and Climate Change
How serious the crisis is when it comes to cities and climate change?
How do we tackle the impact of climate change in cities where half of us live is a challenge?
Cities are front line actors in carbon emissions and climate change

12. We are the problem and we are the solution
UN-HABITAT analysis shows that rational land use planning, green building codes and energy efficient transport options have proven, to date, to be amongst the most effective measures that can be taken to reduce energy consumption and emissions.
Together with waste recycling these are the most promising at reducing the ecological footprint of cities

13. Urban planning – Sustainable building
Urban transport modes – Renewable energy generation

14. Vulnerability of Human Settlements
More than half world’s population lives within 60 km of the sea
Three quarters of all cities are located on the coast
Most of the urban population resides in vulnerable areas which are ill-equipped for adaptation
1 billion population living in slums are likely to become environmental refugees

15. Adaptation & Mitigation
Adaptation = To manage the un-avoidable
Mitigation = To avoid the un-manageable
Adaptation and Mitigation are interconnected and mutually supportive

16. Adaptation
Adaptation capacity to face the impact is needed to respond climate change
Adaptation requires wealth, technology, decision making capabilities, human capital, social capital, risk spreading, ability to manage information etc

17. UN-HABITAT’s Role
UN is playing a unique role in addressing climate change
UN efforts to strengthen in mitigation, adaptation and technology transfer should not be compromised
UN-HABITAT supports national and local authorities to cope with the impact of climate change
Working in over 100 cities globally through various programmes

18. UN-HABITAT’S Programmes
Sustainable Cities Programme
Localizing Agenda 21
Cities and Climate Change
Sustainable Urban Development Network (SUD-Net)
Cities and Climate Change Initiative (CCCI)
World Urban Campaign

19. Climate Change Challenge and Mitigation
Challenge provides opportunities
Most severe impacts on vulnerable populations who have contributed the least to the problem
Addressing Climate change improves in economies, governance, and aids in achieving the MDG’s
Requires much greater international support and solidarity
Additional 1% of the GDP of rich country in 2015

20. Conclusion Climate change may unite the international community
Climate change is a threat to humankind
People’s participation can bridge the gap
If cities are the part of problem then they must be part of the solution
Local authorities can find local answers to global challenges
Governments need an accurate and objective assessment of climate science in order to devise policies
UN-IPPC meet in Bussan, South Korea, is the best opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to climate science

21. Thank you!