Canada helps developing country cities adapt to climate change

PARIS, France – Jean Lebel, President of Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), today announced a $4 million investment to help cities in the developing world be better prepared for climate change impacts and the risks these impacts pose to people, economies, and infrastructure.

The three-year Cities and Climate Change initiative will fund innovative research to inform locally appropriate solutions that improve resilience by engaging with local leaders, communities, and the private sector. This initiative builds on more than 10 years of urban research at IDRC.

The announcement was made as the summary of the 2nd Assessment Report on Cities and Climate Change, produced by the Urban Climate Change Research Network, was released at the Climate Summit for Local Leaders at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21), the largest ever global gathering of mayors, governors, and urban leaders focused on climate change.

The report presents scientific evidence relating to priority topics for urban decision-makers, including housing and informal settlements, water access and sanitation, and private sector finance. A number of IDRC grantees are contributors to this report, offering recommended solutions for cities in the developing world.

“Canada has great potential as a leader in helping developing regions adapt to climate change,” said The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie. “Canada is realizing this potential, including through our recent $2.65 billion funding commitment and this work focused on cities.”

“IDRC is committed to working with our strong network of experts to address the very real need cities in developing regions have for solid data to inform decision-making; decision-making with consequences for millions of urban dwellers,” said Lebel.