Report on Climate Change Action in Urban Development with Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction: The Role of Cities in Climate Change

Cities are pivotal in addressing climate change, contributing approximately 67–72% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which significantly drive global warming. Concurrently, urban areas face escalating risks from climate-related hazards such as floods, fires, and droughts, impacting insurance costs, public health, and safety. Given that 90% of Australians and over four billion people worldwide reside in urban areas, sustainable urban development is critical to global climate resilience.

Building Smarter Cities Aligned with SDGs

Integrating climate change considerations into the design, construction, and management of cities is essential to minimize and ultimately eliminate emissions. Current urban development policies often lack sufficient climate risk reduction and carbon reduction goals aligned with international targets, including those outlined in the SDGs.

The National Housing Accord, which plans to construct over one million homes by 2029, represents a significant opportunity to embed climate-responsive strategies in new housing developments, supporting SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Priority Actions for Climate-Responsive Urban Development

A recent study, informed by over 150 stakeholders across urban planning, architecture, sustainability, and construction sectors, identified 16 priority actions covering the entire life cycle of the built environment. These actions are crucial for advancing multiple SDGs, including SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

1. Early Identification of Climate Risks: Incorporate climate risk assessments at the initial planning stages supported by effective tools and strategies to manage flood-prone and other vulnerable areas.
2. Mandated Climate Action Policies: Implement formal legislation to ensure climate initiatives are prioritized during project development and approvals.
3. Enhancement of Climate Knowledge and Skills: Foster interdisciplinary climate competencies among professionals to improve design and material selection for low environmental impact.
4. Support for Innovation and Sustainable Materials: Encourage the use of recycled and sustainable materials during construction to reduce environmental footprints.
5. Comprehensive Post-Construction Evaluation: Engage building users in maintaining climate-responsive buildings to sustain performance over time.
6. Promotion of Reuse and Circularity: Advocate for building reuse and materials circularity to minimize waste and emissions, challenging the conventional demolition and rebuild culture.

Challenges and Barriers

• Perceived lack of agency among industry professionals to initiate climate action, often deferring responsibility to clients or property owners.
• Competitive building industry dynamics that may deprioritize climate initiatives without legal mandates or clear return on investment.
• Resistance to innovation, particularly in adopting recycled materials and novel sustainable practices.

Collaborative Approaches for Embedding Climate Action

Effective climate action requires integration at all decision-making levels, supporting the achievement of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The following strategies are recommended:

• Individual Professionals: Pursue continuous development of climate change skills through professional associations and training.
• Professional Practices: Mainstream climate action in project workflows and organizational decision-making.
• Universities: Embed comprehensive climate change knowledge and competencies in built environment curricula.
• Governments: Review and update policy frameworks to mandate mitigation and adaptation measures in urban development.

Conclusion: Advancing Sustainable Urban Development

By implementing these priority actions, stakeholders can collectively advance emission reduction targets and minimize climate risks in urban environments. This aligns with the global commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 11 and SDG 13, ensuring resilient, sustainable, and inclusive cities for current and future generations.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article focuses on urban areas, highlighting the need for climate action in cities where 90% of Australians and over four billion people globally live.
   • Emphasis on building smarter cities, reducing emissions, and managing climate risks aligns with SDG 11’s aim to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The central theme is tackling climate change through mitigation and adaptation in urban planning, construction, and management.
   • Addressing greenhouse gas emissions (67-72% from cities) and climate risks such as floods, fires, and droughts directly relates to SDG 13.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The article discusses innovation in construction materials and processes, encouraging sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Focus on materials circularity, reuse of existing buildings, and reducing waste aligns with sustainable consumption and production patterns.
5. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Climate impacts on health and safety are mentioned, linking urban climate resilience to health outcomes.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 11 Targets
   • Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.
   • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.
   • Target 11.b: Increase the number of cities adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
2. SDG 13 Targets
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.
3. SDG 9 Targets
   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
4. SDG 12 Targets
   • Target 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.
5. SDG 3 Targets
   • Target 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Cities
   • Percentage contribution of cities to total greenhouse gas emissions (67–72%) can be tracked to measure emission reductions.
2. Climate Risk Assessments and Adaptation Measures
   • Number or proportion of urban development projects incorporating climate risk assessments and mitigation/adaptation strategies.
   • Existence and enforcement of policies mandating climate action in urban planning and construction.
3. Building Performance Ratings
   • Achievement and maintenance of building energy efficiency ratings (e.g., six star rating mentioned) to monitor sustainable building standards.
4. Use of Sustainable Materials and Circularity
   • Proportion of construction materials reused or recycled in building projects.
   • Reduction in construction and demolition waste generated.
5. Capacity Building and Education
   • Number of professionals and educational institutions embedding climate change knowledge and skills in curricula and professional development.
6. Policy Implementation
   • Number of policies reviewed or introduced to mandate climate mitigation and adaptation in urban development.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: theconversation.com