Inclusive Cities for a Changing Climate: Realizing the Urban Opportunity

The Coalition for Urban Transitions and WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, in partnership with the OECD and IIED, are hosting panel discussions followed by a reception at the tenth session of the World Urban Forum.

This event will highlight why cities should be at the heart of the response to the climate emergency, and how a coordinated, multi-level response can tackle dangerous climate change and achieve shared prosperity and a better quality of life for citizens. It will highlight successful examples of urban action that are benefitting people and the planet and examine the lessons from these success stories that could be applied elsewhere.

The first panel discussion will examine the role of national leadership, urban policies and strategies in creating thriving cities, and the importance of enabling and collaborating with city governments to drive ambition and innovation. The second panel will explore how community-led action and putting people at the heart of climate and development strategies can help to create inclusive and resilient cities.

These panel discussions and presentations will be followed by a reception to announce the new cycle of the WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities, the premier global award celebrating and spotlighting transformative urban change. It awards $250,000 to one winner and $25,000 to four runners-up. The Prize seeks to inspire urban change-makers across the globe by elevating trailblazing initiatives and telling impactful stories of sustainable urban transformation. This Prize cycle will invite submissions for the theme “Inclusive cities for a changing climate” – initiatives and projects that show how to live and thrive in a changing climate by tackling both the climate crisis and urban inequality.