Over half of the global population now live in urban areas. This figure is expected to rise to 70 per cent by 2050.¹

Cities are key to global economies, sites of cultural and technological innovation, and centres of governance. However, this concentration of people, infrastructure and institutions can come with elevated risk. In recent research by CDP-ICLEI, 83 percent of 1,131 participating global cities reported significant climate hazards.² Furthermore, in many cities, it is often the poorest who are located in areas of greatest exposure, and who are therefore at greatest climate risk.

Urban areas are responsible for an estimated 70 percent of global CO2 emissions, and are therefore of upmost importance with respect to climate mitigation efforts.³

Beyond climate risk, cities are constantly having to navigate natural and manmade hazards and threats, which are constantly evolving alongside technological advancements. Resilience and Sustainability are therefore key issues for cities and their populations.

The SARDE team has significant experience helping cities in efforts to build resilience and increase sustainability. We understand that solutions must understand and appreciate the complex nature of cities, as systems of social, environmental and technological systems, related and to varying extents dependent on one another. Our experience and services in this space includes:

• Urban resilience and sustainability research and policy

• Working with cities in resilience and sustainability action planning

• Development of assessment tools.

Please see the contact page to discuss how SARDE can support you in this space.

1.https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/urbandevelopment

2. https://www.cdp.net/en/research/global-reports/cities-at-risk

3. https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/resource-efficiency/what-we-do/cities-and-climate-change