UNLOCKING URBAN POTENTIAL FOR CLIMATE ACTION
Cities are acknowledged as central battlegrounds in the fight against climate change, given their crucial role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and implementing climate solutions. With the approaching deadline for revising Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, a unified commitment to limiting global warming to 1.5°C is imperative. In alignment with their shared commitment to environmental sustainability, UN-Habitat and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have joined hands to launch the Urban Air Action Platform—an innovative platform that provides real-time insights into air quality across cities globally, reflecting a concerted effort to prioritize environmental sustainability. Furthermore, during the opening of the UNEA-6 Cities and Regions Summit held in Nairobi on 23 February, UN-Habitat unveiled the National Climate Plans technical brief, revealing a lack of urban content in nationally determined contributions (NDCs). The research, analysing 194 NDCs, showed that only 27 percent of commitments under the Paris Agreement include strong urban elements, indicating an opportunity to leverage the potential of cities to achieve national decarbonization targets
Publications
Building peace and prosperity in Quicet, Guinea-Bissau
In the heart of Guinea-Bissau lies the small community of Quicet, where a long-standing land conflict has plagued the lives of its 3,000 inhabitants for years. Divided into 14 villages, or tabancas, Quicet struggles with internal tensions over scarce natural resources, exacerbated by unclear territorial boundaries and a lack of community involvement in land allocation
Turning the tide: A village's fight for clean water and healthy living
In the heart of Egypt's Nile Delta, Tabal village paints a picture of resilience amidst adversity. While urban areas in Egypt generally enjoy reliable water access, the reality for Tabal’s 5,000 inhabitants had for long been very different. With only 56 per cent of households equipped with proper sanitation
Pathways to sustainable urban development in northern Mexico
In northern Mexico, two dynamic UN-Habitat initiatives are currently underway. In the city of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, the pioneering Ciudad Juárez 2040 Vision project is forging ahead while the second project unfolds in the municipality of San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo Leon and is envisaged to positively impact over 400,000 individuals
Integrating land and climate programme tools for sustainable settlements in Asia and the Pacific
Rapidly expanding cities in Asia and the Pacific are on the front lines of the climate crisis, facing heightened vulnerability. UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) has prioritised integrated land and climate programming to foster long-term climate resilience in cities throughout the region
Financial Highlights
Upcoming Events and Meetings
UNGA Sustainability Week
15 – 19 April 2024
New York, USA
Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Forum on Sustainable Development
15 – 19 April 2024
Santiago, Chile
Tenth Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development
23 – 25 April 2024
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia