IPCC convenes in Riga to kickstart work on Special Report on Climate Change, Cities
On 16 April, experts from various fields will gather in Riga, Latvia, for the scoping meeting of the Special Report on Climate Change and Cities, slated to be part of the Seventh Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This upcoming report marks a significant milestone as the IPCC dedicates an entire assessment to scrutinizing cities and their pivotal role in the climate change narrative.
Scheduled for release in early 2027, the report will undergo rigorous review processes to ensure its accuracy and reliability, consistent with previous IPCC reports. The development of this special report involves collaboration among numerous stakeholders and experts, pooling the latest scientific literature and research findings. The focused attention on cities highlights the critical importance of urban areas in the global response to climate change, which will serve as a precious resource for urban stakeholders worldwide.
Cities globally find themselves on the front lines of combating climate change, grappling with its impacts daily. The intersection of urbanization and climate change presents major challenges, as evidenced by phenomena such as the urban heat island effect, which contributes to temperatures within urban areas of up to 10 to 15°C higher than surrounding rural areas. The IPCC’s Special Report on Cities and Climate Change promises to offer crucial insights into the intricate relationship between climate and urban.
UN-Habitat and other organizations actively contribute to IPCC’s effort by enhancing urban climate knowledge and fostering communication. Initiatives like the Innovate4Cities conference, in collaboration with the Global Covenant of Mayors, aim to synthesize the latest knowledge and solutions that can inform climate processes such as the Seventh Assessment Report Cycle (AR7) of the IPCC and address critical sustainability gaps through cross-sector action.
As cities continue to grow and face increasing climate-related challenges, UN-Habitat’s work becomes ever more crucial in supporting cities to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Looking ahead, the outcomes of initiatives like the IPCC’s Special Report on Climate Change and Cities will provide further momentum for collaborative efforts towards building climate-resilient and sustainable urban environments worldwide.
