Local governments and climate change

Commonwealth Secretariat discussion paper number 5:

This paper examines the important role that local governments can have in addressing the challenges posed by climate change as part of their preparedness for and management of natural disasters programmes. It provides examples and gives advice on what local government can do to respond to the issue.

The paper asserts that monitoring the impact of climate change is essential to manage climate risks and vulnerabilities, and that local governments play a critical role as the most accessible governing authority with up-to-date knowledge of the local environment, natural and man made, and the changing needs and capacities of the local community. It also showcase the importance of investing in public infrastructure (roads, bridges) and housing in order to help communities become robust enough to withstand the worst climate scenarios and protects valuable assets.