Cairo, 5 November 2024
UN-Habitat unveiled its latest World Cities Report at the World Urban Forum in Cairo, sounding the alarm on the immense climate challenges faced by urban areas. The report revealed a stark future: without significant intervention, over 2 billion city residents could face an additional 0.5-degree temperature rise by 2040. Highlighting a massive funding gap, the report estimated that cities need up to USD 5.4 trillion annually to support climate resilience, far exceeding the current $831 billion available.
One of the most concerning findings was the unintended impact of some climate initiatives. Instances of “green gentrification” have shown that well-meaning projects, like park creation, sometimes end up displacing low-income residents. To counter this, UN-Habitat urged a shift in perspective—seeing cities not just as part of the climate problem, but as key to the solution.
In a call for equitable, community-led climate action, UN-Habitat’s Executive Director Anáclaudia Rossbach emphasized the importance of knowledge as a foundation for impactful strategies. As cities look toward the upcoming COP29, the report underscored the necessity of urban-focused climate strategies that prioritize sustainable investments and inclusive development.
