City Indicators on Climate Change Implications for Governance

Risks associated with climate change are increasingly finding expression in cities. Yet, the vulnerability of cities to climate change is largely underestimated due to the lack of an established and globally standardized set of city indicators that measures the effects of climate change on cities and assesses those risks. Indicators on cities and climate change can add new policy leverage for local governments, by building empowered decision-making in this volatile policy field. Climate metrics at the city level help to build strong city governments capable of performing as new sites of governance in global negotiations on climate change. Knowledge derived from city indicators on climate change can help to direct a more informed set of planning norms and practices, more effective infrastructure investment and urban management, and a more empowered city governance.