1. Cities and climate changes
Corinne Hermant-de Callataÿ Urban Development and Territorial Cohesion Unit
9th meeting of the Interservice Group on Urban Development – 3 JULY 2008

2. Why ‘cities and climate change’ ? (1)
75% of the European population lives or works in cities and urban zones
Up to 80% of CO2 emissions are generated by cities and, within these emissions, building and transport account for around 60% of total
Challenges and objectives are global, but implementation is regional or local
Cities are the places where the greatest impact may be achieved (density, transport, building)

3. Why ‘cities and climate change’ ?(2)
"It is essential that climate change be tackled in an integrated way. Choosing between mitigation and adaptation is comparable with choosing between mending a broken brake on a bicycle or buying a cycle helmet instead. Functioning brakes help to prevent accidents (mitigation), whereas the helmet is intended to avert disaster if an accident does occur (adaptation).”

4. I - Keys facts about cities and climate change
Many cities at risk
The absence or lack of land use policy
Urban sprawl
Flood-prone areas
Risk for cultural heritage
Water scarcity
New migration flows

5. II - What may cities do? Some examples
Spatial planning and infrastructure
Use of spatial planning for encouraging more compact cities
Energy-saving policies
Public buildings; social buildings; standards for housing ; reduction of air-conditioning
Public transport; energy policy
Environmental governance
Assessing risks and monitoring progress
Exchange of experience through city networks

6. Powers of cities and towns Multi-level governance
III - Limiting factors
Funding
Powers of cities and towns
Multi-level governance
Public/private partnerships
Decisions of individuals

7. IV – How may cohesion policy address the challenges?
2007 – 2013: strong emphasis but still diff. to assess
Post 2013:
Mitigation and measures / transport and energy
Adaptation measures / impact of climate change
Cross-cutting priorities
Reinforce the exchange of information between cities
Support information engineering at city level
Foster "Urban mainstreaming" on environmental matters

8. Thank you for your attention