According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), urban centers are currently responsible for more than 701 Tbp of global greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, there is a need for governments to develop a climate action plan to implement public policies in their territories that take into account addressing climate change.

The study of climate risk and vulnerability is a fundamental step in a government's sustainable urban planning, as it provides the necessary diagnosis to define actions aimed at making the territory more resilient. 

Between June and July, four South American cities that are part of the Urban-LEDS II project took important steps towards developing their climate risk and vulnerability studies: Sorocaba and Betim (Brazil); Cartago and Manizales (Colombia).

During the initial workshops, held by ICLEI South America and WayCarbon, the methodology that will be applied in these Brazilian and Colombian cities was presented.

With the aim of fostering the exchange of knowledge about the city's challenges and the solutions applied in each territory, the process of constructing the Climate Risk and Vulnerability Study involves the participation of civil society in the four cities, contributing to the process of building a participatory and engaged climate compliance.

In addition to representatives from civil society, the first technical meetings of the municipalities were attended by representatives from bodies relevant to risk management and from academia.

The expectation is that the four studies will be completed in September of this year, when a final workshop open to the city will be held.

“We are experiencing a unique moment in Sorocaba, bringing together various institutions in support of public policies with a special focus on climate change. We are a privileged city, with the presence of educational institutions that provide us with the foundation to advance public policies in this environmental area,” highlighted the Secretary of the Environment and Sustainability of Sorocaba, Maurício Tavares da Mota.

“For Manizales, working with ICLEI has been very useful in implementing low-carbon urban development strategies. Being part of this project has allowed us to engage in dialogue with international experts who have enabled us to guide and support other individuals and actions in favor of the climate and sustainability of our city, which will be reflected in the habitability and harmonious development of our territory,” comments Dr. Natalia Escobar, Secretary of the Environment for the municipality of Manizales.