Climate Change: The IDN perspective

The global average surface temperature of the Earth has increased by approximately 0.7°C over the last 100 years (1906 – 2005): man-made emissions of greenhouse gases particularly carbon dioxide are very likely the principal cause (IPCC, 2007). Global temperature rises of up to 4°C are projected for the next 100 years with knock-on effects on extreme events such as storms, sea level rise, droughts and increased levels of precipitation The impacts on ecosystems and societies could be devastating.

Climate change is a global problem; there is a need to share knowledge, technologies and expertise between different countries and regions. It also poses a professional challenge to all planners and has prompted changes to the RTPI Vision for Planning. The RTPI launched its seven commitments on “Planning to Live with Climate Change” at the Planning Convention in June 2009.

Clearing devastation after mudslide in Bududa, Uganda: photo by IDN member Wepukhulu Jeremiah

To help achieve the seven commitments the RTPI Networks have established Climate Change Champions. The aim is for these individuals to facilitate the exploration of good practice examples and the promotion of discussion amongst Network Members. Douglas McNab is the International Development Network (IDN) climate change champion and the author of this page; he can be contacted via IDN. IDN has a key to play in disseminating knowledge about planning approaches to climate change, promoting and sharing good practice and policy, and influencing decision makers.

An international perspective on planning and climate change

All countries – regardless of their level of development – need a spatially coherent approach to climate change mitigation and adaptation. This should be set within a broader context of sustainable development as important links exist between planning for climate change and wider sustainability concerns such as biodiversity protection, water conservation and minimisation of resource consumption (e.g. using green roofs for urban cooling and runoff reduction whilst also enhancing biodiversity). As the IPCC (2007) states: “Sustainable development can reduce vulnerability to climate change, and climate change could impede nations’ abilities to achieve sustainable development pathways.”

Those countries with the highest total historical carbon emissions, such as the UK, could be argued to have a particular moral imperative to act on climate change mitigation and to lead the way.

With regard to climate change adaptation, the need and type of response will vary by country and region; however, it is important to recognise that many of the world’s poorest people living in countries in the global south are projected to be particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, such as floods and drought. They will need support to adapt, and given the ‘polluter pays principle’, there is arguably again a moral imperative on the largest polluting countries to assist.

IDN Advisory Group member Ian Haywood addresses international development issues in climate change in his October 2007 article in Planning magazine: Read more

What else is the RTPI doing on climate change?

You can follow our activities elsewhere on the RTPI website e.g. the main Climate Change page which has links to guidance, advice and examples of best practice; the progress page for our Seven Commitments on Climate Change and the research page which links to projects, publications and events. We would always be glad of links to sources of advice that you have found useful, or case studies that demonstrate good practice, either your own, or from the work of others. To add an item, please email our Policy & Practice staff.

Further information and international web links

References and examples of good practice in responding to the challenge of climate change mitigation and adaptation are outlined below.

The planning response to climate change: Advice on better practice This UK government report, though dating back to 2004, is still a useful resource for planners new to climate change.

C40 Cities  A group of the world's largest cities committed to tackling climate change. The website contains news and updates on current C40 programmes, information about each of the cities involved, and links to useful documents.

Climate Investment Funds (CIFs) Launched at the G8 Summit in Hokkaido in 2008 and supported by DFID and DECC, this $6bn set of funds and programmes is aimed at driving global action to tackle the harmful effects of climate change in the world’s developing countries. The money is helping to promote clean technology, tackle unsustainable deforestation, and help developing countries to become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN)  An initiative designed to support developing countries in tackling the challenges posed by climate change, launched in March 2010 by the UK government.

Competitive Cities and Climate Change  A 2009 report from the OECD that illustrates how local involvement through “climate-conscious” urban planning and management can help achieve national climate goals and minimise trade-offs between environmental and economic priorities; includes best practices principally from OECD member countries and certain non-member countries.

Framing the role of spatial planning in climate change A useful overview paper, albeit focused on the UK, from Simin Davoudi at Newcastle University.

Hot Cities  A BBC documentary series that travels the world from Lagos to Los Angeles, from Shanghai to Surat, from Dhaka to Durban to see if our cites can adapt to climate change.

International Panel on Climate Change  Includes access to the latest IPCC assessment report.

RICS Global Property Sustainability Survey, Q1 2010  Found that implementation of sustainable real estate solutions is increasing across all global regions, with ‘Emerging Asia’ reporting the greatest average level of sustainable improvements.

Seven ingredients for low carbon cities  Press release from 45^th ISOCARP Congress, Portugal, October 2009; includes an emphasis on integrated, inclusive planning.

The future climate for development  Forum for the Future, funded by DFID, undertook a year-long project looking at the possible responses to climate change in low-income countries out to 2030; the report explores not only the direct environmental impacts of climate change, but also the social, political, psychological and economic shifts that it may cause.

Resilient Cities Progress and challenges in urban climate adaptation planning: results of a global survey.

Urban planning failures putting lives at risk Weather shocks such as floods put lives, infrastructure and businesses at risk unless planning takes the risks into account.

How can urban development contribute to disaster risk reduction? This paper examines the risks of natural hazards and disasters that challenge the development efforts of the urban or city development process.

Climate change and the urban poor: risk and resilience in 15 of the world's most vulnerable cities  This report outlines lessons learnt regarding the principal effects of climate change on 15 cities in low-income countries, and what makes them vulnerable to these effects.