Event Description

Rapid urbanisation and climate change stand as two of the major challenges of our time. The convergence of rapid and unplanned urban growth, heightened consumption patterns, and a lack of supporting infrastructure and policies exacerbates carbon emissions. Compounding this, the global building stock is projected to double within the next 30 years, which requires to accommodate for urban growth while ensuring a just and equitable transition.

The imperative to address these dual demands involves empowering those residing in the most cities' poorest areas, allowing them to actively shape their sustainable future.

During this COP28 session, Cities Alliance and its partners will focus on identifying equitable responses to engage and empower communities residing in low-income and informal settlements, as well as their municipalities. The dialogue will revolve around key themes such as Affordability, Sustainability, Attractivity, Scalability, and Inclusivity, offering a nuanced exploration of the multifaceted aspects of sustainable urban development.

This event aims to underscore the critical importance of addressing urban informality and inequality as integral components of effective strategies in tackling the challenges posed by climate change. Engaging practitioners and researchers from diverse sectors—public, social, private, academic, and developmental—will provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and promising approaches. Insights drawn from collaborations between researchers, cities, and global policymakers will be explored, with a focus on delineating priorities for actionable initiatives at the local level.

Moderator: Cédric de Meeûs, Vice President, Group Public Affairs and Social Impact, Holcim 

Panel: 

• Carmen Vogt, Head of Global Section Cities, German Agency for International Cooperation, GIZ
• Yves-Laurent Sapoval, Advisor, Ministry of Ecology, Energy, and the Territories, France
• Debra Roberts, Co-Chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC
• Jonathan Duwyn, Programme Officer, Buildings and Construction, UN Environment, UNEP