Enabling climate change adaptation in urban areas: a local governance approach

Climate change became the center of public concern in the last years. Cities and urban areas are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Half of the global population currently lives in urban areas and by 2050 this proportion is estimated to increase. In addition, more then 80 percent of the cities are located on the shore and near rivers, making them predisposed to increased storms, floods and sea-level rise. Local governments play an important role in implementing climate change policies. The empirical evidence shows that local governments often appear as key actors in coordinating, facilitating and implementing climate change actions alone or cooperating with an array of different actors. This paper reviews the literature on cities and climate change and explores the elements that enable local governments to take action in terms of climate adaptation. It also discusses the risks and vulnerability of cities looking at the implementation of climate change adaptation strategies. Enabling elements such as good governance, democratic and participatory institutions, availability of different types of resources, knowledge and information on what and how to adapt, as well as the presence of a local political entrepreneur often appear supporting climate change adaptation.