ICLEI Europe is committed to assisting European cities to navigate the wealth of opportunities available to them to assist them in reaching ambitious climate goals, including the Cities Race to Zero (RtZ) campaign, and the Covenant of Mayors – Europe’s Re-CoMmittments. ICLEI also champions a new campaign called the Cities Race to Resilience (RtR), which was launched in the lead-up to COP26.

ICLEI’s Climate Neutrality Framework is a methodology used by cities that commit to the above campaigns, which supports cities and regions on the path to net-zero emissions and climate resilience.

With these campaigns and methodologies in place, and in view of an ongoing and crucially important UNFCCC climate conference (COP26), local authorities have a unique opportunity to showcase their bold commitments and to pledge to create more resilient communities.

Dr. Kate Strachan, Senior Officer for Climate Change and Coastal Management at ICLEI Africa, as well as the Cities and Regions Race to Resilience Lead for the UNFCCC’s High-Level Climate Champions Team, shares what Cities Race to Resilience is, and how local authorities can make use of it to reach ambitious goals.

To begin, can you clarify what Race to Resilience is exactly?

Race to Resilience is a UNFCCC campaign that aims to rally leadership and support from non-state actors to help frontline communities build local pathways to net-zero, improve resilience, and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The RtR campaign aims to increase global ambition with respect to resilience, and to strengthen the resilience of people in vulnerable communities by the year 2030.

In the case of cities, joining the Cities RtR means pledging to integrate climate change adaptation and resilience across all aspects of urban planning, using evidence in decision-making, committing to taking specific resilience actions, and reporting on progress annually.

What role do cities have in the Race?

The next decade will decide the future of the planet and humanity. On top of worsening socio-economic and ecological inequalities, cities face two crises – the COVID-19 pandemic and the impacts of climate change – and must adapt and react to both simultaneously. A green and just recovery is essential, and this includes protecting our most vulnerable populations. Cities are at the forefront of climate emergencies like flooding, drought, extreme heat, sea-level rise, and more. Creating a resilient world, where both people and nature cannot just survive climate shocks and stresses, but thrive in spite of them, is at the heart of the RtR.

The Cities Race to Resilience is one of the initiatives under the RtR campaign, focused on driving cities to commit to the pledges I have previously mentioned. More information about the pledge can be found at: citiesracetoresilience.org/join/.

How does this relate to other initiatives and activities that already exist?

Race to Resilience and Race to Zero do not replicate efforts made by other actors, nor do they aim to substitute for them. Instead, they were initiated by the UNFCCC Climate Champions Team to bring existing initiatives under one common tent, to rally leadership, and to stand with one voice at climate negotiations.

For example, cities that are signatories of the Global Covenant of Mayors must define certain actions as part of that initiative – these Covenant actions can also act as RtR resilience actions, and Covenant reports are automatically also considered valid for Race reporting. By declaring their Covenant actions as part of their RtR pledge as well, cities can identify new partners and opportunities to stay on track with their climate ambition.

More information about these synergies is outlined in a series of FAQs.

There are a number of sustainability networks, campaigns and initiatives for cities. Why would busy city leaders join Cities RtR?

The climate emergency is here, and the deadline to implement the actions needed to stay below 1.5°C global temperature rise is approaching or already behind us. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated and exposed many urban vulnerabilities.

In concrete terms, cities should join RtR to access tools and methodologies – including the ICLEI Climate Neutrality Framework – to set science-based climate targets, and select actions that ensure they develop an inclusive and resilient framework for their local communities.