Presentation of the First Assessment Report on Climate Change in Cities (ARC3)

"The First Assessment Report on Climate Change in Cities makes clear that urban areas are vulnerable to changing climatic conditions in ways which make the risks their populations face complex and multi-faceted. Understanding the nature of these threats, the strategies necessary to address them, and where information gaps exist is crucial."

The ARC3 is the outcome of more than a year’s work by 45 researchers from the UCCRN, a global consortium of academic, NGO, private sector and government researchers who specialise in urban climate change science, impacts, adaptation and mitigation.

The session also included an introduction to the key findings from the congress CLIMATE CHANGE Global Risks, Challenges & Decisions held by the University of Copenhagen and IARU in 2009. Professor Katherine Richardson, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen: "Cities are not only where most people live. Most CO2 is also emitted from cities. Thus, cities must adapt to inevitable climate changes and they are central agents when it comes to reducing emissions. City administrations have first-hand and real-world experience about what climate change adaptation and mitigation are really about and their knowledge is invaluable. This is why they need to be involved.”

Finally, Mayor Gregor Robertson, Vancouver, Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, Melbourne, and Mayor Klaus Bondam, Technical and Environment Administration, Copenhagen, discussed the challenges facing cities in regard to climate change.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, Melbourne pointed that Melbourne will be instrumental in delivering the innovative and practical solutions required in the battle against climate change: “Melbourne and Australia’s other capital cities are spending $114 million on sustainability initiatives and these projects will contribute a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. If national governments recognize our contribution, we will be in a much stronger position to attract federal funding and deliver even greater initiatives with bigger impacts.”

Mayor Klaus Bondam, Technical and Environment Administration, Copenhagen, emphasised the importance of citizen involvement: “It is important that we in the cities help our citizens both to understand the impact of climate change and, at the same time, offer them opportunities to do something about it. It is extremely important for us to involve citizens in addressing climate changes. We all need to take responsibility and be part of the solution. The more we know about climate change, the more we can do to remedy the situation.”

For further information

• Find the full report on http://www.uccrn.org/  
• Please find photos free to use on www.climatesummitformayors.dk 
• Jacob Sølling, Head of Section, University of Copenhagen, e-mail: jacs@adm.ku.dk, +45 2875 2630
• Ms Rikke Houkjær, City of Copenhagen: +45 2677 2295