Cities and Climate Change

This book shows how city and metropolitan regional governments working in tandem with national governments can change the way we think about responding to climate change. The book also explores policy tools and best practices from both OECD and some non-member countries.

The chapters analyse: trends in urbanisation, economic growth, energy use and climate change; the economic benefits of climate action; the role of urban policies in reducing energy demand, improving resilience to climate change and complementing global climate policies; frameworks for multilevel governance of climate change including engagement with relevant stakeholders; and the contribution of cities to "green growth", including the "greening" of fiscal policies, innovation and jobs.

The book will be relevant to policy makers, researchers, and others with an interest in learning more about urbanisation and climate change policy.

Table of Contents
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Executive Summary
Introduction
Part I Trends
Chapter 1. Urbanisation, Economic Growth and Climate Change
The worldwide urbanisation process
Cities and economic concentration.
Economic growth, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions
The urban form matters – the impact of sprawl
Chapter 2. Climate Change Impacts Specific to Urban Regions
Urban climate impacts and vulnerabilities
Coastal flooding risks
Precipitation and storm impacts
Heat impacts and heat-island effects
Effects of increased drought and water scarcity
The costs of urban inaction
Chapter 3. Economic Benefits of Climate Action: The Urban Dimension
Effects of urban policies on global energy demand and carbon emissions
Environment and economic growth at the urban scale: From trade-offs to policy complementarity
Other benefits of urban climate policies
Annex 3.A1. Computable General Equilibrium Model of Cities and Climate Change: IMACLIM-R and OECD Metropolitan Database

Part II Competitiveness Policies
Chapter 4. The Urban Policy Package
Urban governance and policy complementarities
Density and spatial urban form in combating climate change
Strategic urban planning for climate change
Chapter 5. Contribution of Cities to a Green Growth Model
Facilitating job creation through green growth: The role of cities and regions
Systemic changes through regional eco-innovation.

Part III Governance
Chapter 6. Multi-level Governance: A Conceptual Framework
Methodology and key questions to structure the analysis
Chapter 7. Local and Regional Governance
The public policy process: The planning behind climate change action plans and policies
Collaboration between municipalities and regional government
Chapter 8. Local-National Climate Policy Linkages
Main rationale for local-national policy linkages
Institutional models: Local-national co-operation on climate change
Incorporating climate change into existing national, regional and urban development frameworks
Addressing national barriers to local action
Summary points
Chapter 9. Financial Instruments and Funding New Expenditure Needs
Financial instruments and incentives
New urban expenditures and new funding sources
An optimal mix of revenue sources
Chapter 10. Building Institutions to Enhance Local Knowledge and Strengthen Action
Analytic-deliberative capacity and policy networks
Developing the toolbox to harness city-scale decision making
Urban policy networks and climate change
Summary points
Notes
Bibliography