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Abstract In this paper, we analyze secondary data from surveys focusing on climate change and adaptation in Sao Paulo municipalities. The survey was completed by municipal actors who work in 332 of the 645 municipalities in the State. In this paper, we use a theoretical framework on urban climate governance, which highlights the role that local governments play in proposing strategies to deal with climate change, to present and discuss data related to: 1) the occurrence of extreme climatic events in these municipalities; 2) the impacts of these events; 3) local government actors’ perception about climate change; and 4) local actions and responses. Our analysis of these data significantly contributes to better understanding how cities in the most populous and economically developed state in Brazil perceive, respond and deal with climate change and what critical challenges hamper climate adaptation in these cities.

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Cidades e áreas urbanas são vulneráveis aos impactos das mudanças climáticas. Governos locais e subnacionais desempenham um papel importante na implementação de políticas públicas de enfrentamento dessas mudanças. Referenciado no debate internacional, este artigo investiga os principais fatores que apoiam, limitam e facilitam a implementação de medidas de mitigação e adaptação às mudanças climáticas em áreas urbanas. Por meio da análise de 38 estudos de caso de diferentes regiões do mundo, busca-se ir além da análise de contextos específicos e realidades restritas, capturando o repertório de estratégias que vem sendo adotado por governos locais e subnacionais de países desenvolvidos e em desenvolvimento. Identificam-se três grupos de fatores que apoiam e limitam essas ações: recursos e capacidades; conhecimento e informação e instituições e governança.Cities and urban areas are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Subnational and local governments play an important role in implementing public policies to cope with these changes. Referenced in the international debate, this paper investigates the main factors that support, limit and facilitate the implementation of mitigation and adaptation to climate change in urban areas. Through the analysis of 38 case studies from different regions of the world, it seeks to go beyond the analysis of specific contexts and restricted realities, capturing the variety of strategies being adopted by local and subnational governments in developed and developing countries. The paper identifies three groups of factors that support and limit these actions: resources and capacities, knowledge and information and institutions and governance.

The purpose of this paper is to undertake a critical evaluation of the Kyoto Protocol. The evolution of the discussions that produced the final document is sketched through the analysis of official documents of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), relevant papers and material from the press. We also discuss the factors that cast doubts on the continuation and feasibility of the Protocol and the prospects for the post-Kyoto period and a new compromise.O objetivo deste trabalho é fazer uma avaliação crítica do Protocolo de Quioto. Descreve-se inicialmente a evolução das discussões que produziram o documento final, utilizando como fontes documentos oficiais da Convenção-Quadro das Nações Unidas para Mudança do Clima (CQNUMC), artigos importantes e material jornalístico. Enfatizam-se a seguir os fatores que colocam em dúvida a continuidade e a factibilidade do Protocolo. Discutem-se em último lugar as expectativas para o período pós-Quioto e para um novo acordo.

Abstract The demand for scientific knowledge in human-environment interface is a pressing need and an increasingly urgent one given the risk posed by global environmental changes. The Vulnerability and the Resilience approaches stand out in such context. Even though each one comes from different epistemic traditions, currently they are in a fertile interdisciplinary field. This paper presents a critical discussion on the similarities, differences and limitations for the dialogue between both, given the effort to solve problems emerging from the interactions between society and environment, particularly on climate change research. Although a conceptual convergence is on course, there are still theoretical and methodological perspectives that halt the merger into a single approach. However, since both look at the same issues and are based on similar research questions, there is great potential for beneficial complementarity in advancing interdisciplinary research on socio-ecological systems.

O litoral português é um dos mais ameaçados pela erosão costeira na Europa, um fenômeno que deverá ser agravado pelas alterações climáticas, devido à subida do nível médio do mar e à alteração do regime das ondas na costa atlântica. A par desta fragilidade física, a zona costeira tem sido palco de uma acelerada pressão urbana e turística, que em Portugal se acentuou a partir dos anos 60. Este fenômeno gera uma condição de fragilidade social, que se vem associar a uma fragilidade política resultante da incapacidade do Estado para enfrentar com consistência a gestão do litoral. A principal resposta aos problemas do litoral tem sido o investimento em estruturas pesadas fortemente apoiado por fundos comunitários. Apesar deste tipo de investimento estar cada vez mais comprometido, devido à recessão económica e à perspetiva de redução dos fundos europeus. Partindo de três estudos de caso, a Norte, Centro e Sul, neste artigo abordamos a atual condição social da perceção do risco em três zonas instáveis do litoral português, nas quais foram instalados núcleos urbanos com forte motivação turística: Vagueira, Costa da Caparica e Quarteira. Apesar de terem em comum dinâmicas de crescimento recentes, estas zonas apresentam processos diferenciados de ocupação e erosão. O artigo aborda os três locais a partir da sua condição administrativa e dos efeitos das políticas públicas de ordenamento do litoral. E propõe uma reflexão sobre a necessidade de novos modelos institucionais de governança e de gestão costeira sustentáveis.The Portuguese coast is one of the most threatened by coastal erosion in Europe, a phenomenon that will be intensified by climate change, due to sea level rise and changes in the wave system in the Atlantic coast. Along with this physical fragility, the coast has witnessed an accelerated urban and tourist pressure, which increased in Portugal since the 60's. This phenomenon creates social fragility, which in turn links with a political fragility resulting from the state's inability to deal with coastal management in a consistent way. The main response to coastal problems has been investing in heavy defence structures strongly supported by EU funds. However, this type of investment is increasingly compromised due to the economic downturn and the prospective reduction of European funds. Based on three case studies - in the North, Centre and South of Portugal - we will address the current social condition of risk perception in three unstable areas of the Portuguese coast, where urban centres with a strong touristic motivation were installed: Vagueira, Costa da Caparica and Quarteira. Despite having in common recent growth dynamics, these areas show different occupation processes and different levels of coastal erosion. The paper addresses these three places from the point of view of its administrative condition and the effects of public policies for coastal planning. Furthermore we propose a reflexion about the need for new institutional models of governance and sustainable coastal management.

Abstract This paper analyzes the historical trends in the energy supply and demand for the Macrometrópole Paulista Energy System, as well as the existing options for harnessing the renewable energy potential of the region. The research included a case study covering the 174 municipalities that belong to the macro-metropolis to characterize the energy system from 2006 to 2017 while analyzing the CO2 emissions of the system. The results indicated that, in 2017, the Paulista macro-metropolis accounted for 73% of the total energy demand of the entire state of São Paulo. Moreover, considering the energy generated from within the administrative limits of the 174 municipalities, the macro-metropolis accounted for about 17% of the total installed capacity of the state for electricity generation. This study found that the installed capacity for electricity generation in the region can be increased by ~ 112%. There so, an understanding of the local energy systems is of utmost importance for the formulation of coherent and integrated public policies, which are necessary to cope with the effects of climate change.