More than 50% of the world’s population lives in urban areas, a number which is expected to near 70% by 2050. Climate change is exacerbating the vulnerability of human settlements to natural and human-made hazards globally to a disproportionate degree, especially in developing countries, coastal and delta regions and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Increasing the climate resilience of human settlements is thus an important measure to protect lives and livelihoods, preserve development gains, and promote sustainable development.

The event discussed opportunities to close knowledge gaps related to human settlements and adaptation with NWP partner organizations and national delegates. Building on the outcomes of the 11^th Focal Point Forum and the NWP synthesis paper “Adaptation in human settlements: key findings and way forward,” the aim of the event was to identify concrete proposals with NWP partners to address knowledge needs in the short and medium term.

• Increased understanding about existing adaptation knowledge gaps and barriers related to human settlements;

• Opportunities for further collaboration among participants identified, including between NWP partners, Parties, and the UNFCCC secretariat;

• Proposals and action pledges for closing adaptation knowledge gaps relevant for human settlements.

For more information, please click SBSTA 48 Conclusion.

The Nairobi work programme (NWP) was established in 2005 to facilitate the development, dissemination and use of knowledge to inform adaptation policies and practice. It operates as a knowledge-to-action hub under the UNFCCC that supports enhanced action on climate resilience by (1) engaging a growing network of non-Party stakeholders in sharing their experience and expertise (2) capturing and synthesizing the latest information and knowledge on key adaptation issues (3) fostering science–policy–practice collaboration to close identified knowledge gaps (4) disseminating knowledge and fostering learning to boost adaptation action at all levels.

In May 2016, the Subsidiary Body for Science and Technological Advice (SBSTA) gave the NWP the mandate to investigate the area of human settlements and adaptation. The SBSTA invited Parties, NWP partner organizations and other relevant entities to submit information on recent activities and research on human settlements related, in particular, to assessing sensitivity and vulnerability to climate change, integrating both short-term and long-term climate considerations, the role of national governments in supporting adaptation at the local level, city-to-city partnerships on climate change, and cross-cutting issues and linkages related to the formulation and implementation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). The overarching aim of the request was to inform work on human settlements in adaptation planning and implementation.

Over the course of 2017, the NWP collaborated with partners to deliver

• A summary report on existing initiatives in the area of human settlements and adaptation;

• A call for submissions from Parties and relevant organizations on the topic;

• A technical dialogue with human settlement experts in advance of COP23;

• The 11^th Focal Point Forum on human settlements and adaptation organized at COP23.

In 2018, the NWP captured the outcomes of these activities in a synthesis report which highlighted key findings and potential ways forward. As a follow up, the NWP convened a side event with Parties and partners during the 2018 Bonn Climate Change Conference to formulate concrete next steps to address the knowledge needs identified.

For further inquiry, please contact Ms. Laura Kavanaugh (nwp@unfccc.int).