Cities are large emitters of greenhouse gasses, but are also extremely vulnerable to climate change impacts. This unique position makes cities networks relevant in international discussions on mitigation, where they have over the past few months effectively created a new initiative to cut emissions, along with a credible emissions accounting and reporting protocol, a data repository, and a portal to share progress. At the same time that cities groups are advocating mitigation at the international level, groups within cities are proposing innovative adaptation ideas to address local level climate change impacts, including creative solutions to adapt the urban landscape to sea level rise.
Green infrastructure and integrated transportation are the two dominant green best practices that cities around the world are implementing and that research related to the climate change impacts of extreme temperatures and air pollution advocate for.
Buildings represent a key area for climate change mitigation. They account for approximately 30% of global energy consumption, and in turn generate around 20% of all energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
On 30 June 2015, the Chinese government submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), detailing its commitment to climate change mitigation and adaptation for the post-2020 period.