Cities are of particular significance for resilience and adaptation as they are concentrations of exposure and risk: most of the world’s population now lives in urban areas. Worldwide, the urban population is projected to increase to 5 billion by 2030, with 95 percent of the expansion expected in developing countries. Cities are also major drivers of economic growth and development. Although cities occupy just 2 percent of land across the world, they are responsible for about 70 percent of global gross domestic product. Political and business leaders in cities need to make climate change adaptation and resilience a clear priority if they are to ensure returns on their investments in growth and development.

Still, adaptation and resilience are not receiving the urgent attention required at international, national and sub-national level. According to the Global Commission on Adaptation:

• Decision makers and the wider public are not yet aware of all the opportunities to be gained from becoming more resilient and less vulnerable to climate impacts and natural hazards;
• Governments and businesses fail to incorporate climate change risks into their social and economic development plans and investments;
• Adaptation efforts fall short of those who need them most, the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people; and
• Although adaptation is a global challenge, global leadership on the issue is scarce. In short, the world is falling short of the transformation required to adapt to a changing climate.

This event will highlight the critical importance of adaptation and resilience to sustainable economic development and growth in cities. Jointly hosted by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science, the ESRC Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN), Willis Towers Watson, and the London Climate Change Partnership, it will inform discussions among national and local decision-makers, including business and political leaders who will participate in the special summit planned by the United Nations Secretary-General in New York in September 2019.

The session will be chaired by LCCP Chair Chris Rapley, and will include talks from:

• Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency and member of the Global Commission on Adaptation
• Fiona Twycross, Chief Resilience Officer for London
• Shirley Rodrigues, London Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy
• Grainia Long, Belfast Commissioner for Resilience
• Pete Betts, Grantham Research Institue LSE
• Kit England, Climate Ready Clyde, Glasgow City Region
• Swenja Surminski, Grantham Research Institute/Zurich Flood Risk 

Free event, register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/prospering-from-climate-resilient-growth-in-cities-tickets-62510388254