limitations during the pandemic, the study found. Researchers from the University of Leeds and the University of York analyzed data from 854 cities worldwide to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic affected climate action. They found that cities with greater climate-related health issues were more likely to prioritize climate action and implement long-term plans for a “green recovery.” The study also highlighted the importance of local decision-makers’ awareness of the health risks associated with climate change in driving sustained climate action. This suggests that addressing climate-related health issues can be a significant motivator for cities to prioritize climate action, even in the face of challenges posed by the pandemic. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and city officials as they navigate the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and work towards building more resilient and sustainable cities in the future.
The COVID-19 crisis has led to limitations in addressing climate action. The study found that cities in the Global South demonstrated more endurance and ambition in their climate action efforts during the pandemic compared to cities in Europe or North America, despite facing greater financial challenges. Additionally, officials in these cities were more likely to implement successful strategies such as collaborating with other cities to enhance climate action plans, as well as partnering with businesses to strengthen sustainability initiatives. Dr. Tanya O’Garra, the lead author of the study from the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London and Middlesex University, noted that nearly 60% of the population resides in cities.The urban population continues to grow worldwide, which can bring economic benefits. However, city-dwellers are increasingly at risk from pandemics, conflicts, and the effects of climate change itself.
City leaders often prioritize ambitious climate action, but efforts to address other threats can divert funding away from climate goals. Because these challenges are interconnected, this leaves populations more vulnerable to all risks.
Finding ways for city officials to sustain action in the face of these challenges can benefit large populations, especially the poorest and most vulnerable to these interconnected risks.The study, published in the journal Nature Cities, was carried out by researchers from Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, and the UK. They analyzed data from 793 cities worldwide to determine how they responded to the COVID-19 crisis in terms of climate actions, funding, and green recovery efforts. The research aimed to help cities drive climate action and avoid the most severe impacts of climate change. The team used survey data from the Carbon Disclosure Platform (CDP) from 2021, as well as other sources, to gather information on city officials’ responses. In the short term, the study found that most city decisions were focused on immediate COVID-19 response, rather than long-term climate actions.
Despite the commitment of decision-makers to climate action, only 43% of cities have implemented green recovery plans, indicating that a significant number of cities are not prioritizing long-term climate strategies.
Past research on local climate plans has mainly focused on North America and Europe, but this study included 48% of cities from the Global South. The findings revealed that decision-makers in Global South cities generally have higher ambitions for climate action and are promoting more green recovery efforts, despite facing greater financial challenges compared to cities in Europe and North America.
The team identified two main reasons for the discrepancy in green recovery efforts.The motivation for city officials to take climate action can be attributed to two key factors. The first factor is the exposure to environmental stress. In cities where citizens are impacted by climate-related challenges such as floods, droughts, and air pollution, officials are more inclined to prioritize and maintain climate action efforts. The second factor is the early engagement with climate and sustainability. City officials who have already been actively involved in addressing climate and sustainability issues, such as joining climate networks and aligning economic development with sustainability, are more likely to integrate these issues into their decision-making processes.
City policies, processes, and interactions are being improved to ensure their continuation, even in a crisis scenario.
Assessing motivations
The team is currently conducting in-depth interviews with city planning and administration officials in various cities. Initial interviews with officials in Kochi, India, confirmed that the credit for their resilience was attributed to many of the factors identified in the data by the team.
For instance, interviewees highlighted the advantages of the existing coordination between state and local bodies, as well as engagement with different stakeholders in planning.Many different groups were involved in the planning process, such as academics, entrepreneurs, civil society organizations, and the public. They observed that the pandemic caused an increased emphasis on climate action in the city, similar to what has been seen after other natural disasters.
