Are cities taking action against urban overheating? Insights from over 7,500 local climate actions

In this study, the analysis of thousands of climate actions reported under the framework of the Global Covenant of Mayors is combined with insights from the 362 cities that expressed interest in the European 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission.

While rightfully leveraged to address multiple sectors and hazards, urban heat counteraction is not systematically incorporated in action plans where local climatic and demographic conditions would make it advisable. The authors argue that local action plans and policies addressing urban overheating should be better grounded on the principles of prevention, awareness, local specificity, diversification, and social justice. The highlights of this study, include:

• Local action plans on urban overheating are examined for thousands of cities;
• Action types, hazards, sectors, vulnerable groups, costs, and timelines are analyzed;
• The role of city size, country, climate, heat/cold waves, and GDP is discussed;
• Actions stress green measures but need to embrace diversification and social justice.