chapter 4 - DRK

Strictly under embargo until Wednesday 22 September at 00:01 GMT (02:01 Geneva time)Public health Reduce impacts of extreme heat events Improved early warning systems forextreme heat eventsOpen additional cooling centres duringextreme heat eventsIncrease use of shade trees to reduceurban temperaturesImprove disease surveillance and protection Increase monitoring of known diseases andpotential diseases moving into the areaIncrease public education on diseaseprevention for vector-borne illnesses thatcould increase as a result of climate changeEnergyEnsure consistency of energy supplies whileexpanding to low-income groupsStrengthening of overhead transmissionand distribution infrastructureUnderground cabling for utilitiesReduced dependence on single sources ofenergyReduce greenhouse gas emissions associatedwith energy useEnergy efficiencyUse of renewable sourcesTransportationEnsure that transportation network functionsdespite changes in temperature andprecipitationEnsure that transportation system facilitatesrapid emergency responsesRealignment or relocation of transportinfrastructureImproved design standards and planningfor roads, rail and other infrastructureEffective emergency plans for utilizingtransportation networks for evacuations, etc.Source: Adapted from ICLEI (2007) and IPCC (2007)Financing urban adaptationMeeting the challenges of climate change will require considerable investment in infrastructureand services – particularly in low- and middle-income nations. However,many of the existing assessments of adaptation costs have been based on present investmentin infrastructure and have not taken into account the infrastructure deficit (thecurrent shortfall in infrastructure provision for cities under existing climatic conditions)present in many cities in low- and middle-income nations. Any realistic measureof the costs of adaptation in urban areas therefore needs to be informed by an analysisof current disaster risks and the required investment in housing, early warning systemsand rapid and effective post-event responses including temporary accommodation,restoring access to services, supporting rapid return to damaged settlements and supportingrebuilding.However, new funding pathways are currently being developed that are intended tosupport investment in adaptation to climate change. Some of these fall under thebanner of traditional overseas development assistance. Others are coordinated underthe UNFCCC, although their precise nature is the focus of ongoing UNFCCC130