Five ways for spatial planning to mainstream climate action solutions

With increasingly erratic climate patterns, urgent action is needed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Cities, as major emitters and vulnerable to climate impacts, must take the lead in mitigation and adaptation efforts. "The battle for sustainability will be won, or lost, in cities," famously said the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed.
Spatial planning has a lot to offer in mainstreaming climate action. By integrating mitigation targets, resilience planning and by learning from disaster risk management, spatial planning can provide the framework for systemic and transformational change, at speed and at scale.
Any settlement with a planning system has the opportunity to pivot its processes and embed climate action deep into the built and natural environment, thereby accelerating transformational change. Local governments are agile and can rapidly deploy innovative policies which respond to environmental challenges. With a proactive approach, leveraging existing capabilities, methods and systems, the governance of planning can rapidly integrate change that recognises the needs of communities, nature, built environment, economic development and infrastructure - setting a precedent for larger-scale governmental action.
An engaging panel discussion, extending into a dialogue with the audience, will set out opportunities for rapid future proofing of infrastructure, promoting place-based policies for climate aware economic prosperity, strengthening neighbourhoods in preparation of extreme climate events , and even considering the very sensitive issue of relocations and re-alignment of settlements. All this ensuring the voice of communities and youth are leading the transformation – leaving nobody behind.
Hosted by the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP), in collaboration with the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and Planners for Climate Action (P4CA), this event brings together professionals, policymakers, and experts from around the globe. ISOCARP, founded in 1965, is the global platform for urban and regional planners, with members spanning over 90+ countries. Recognized by prominent international organisations such as the United Nations, UN-Habitat, and UNESCO, ISOCARP plays a pivotal role in advocating for sustainable urban development.
The RTPI, with over 27,000 members across 88 countries, sets professional standards and accredits planning courses worldwide. It engages with governments and international bodies to promote good planning practices and leads policy development in the public interest.
Planners for Climate Action (P4CA), formed at COP23 in 2017, is a cooperative initiative convened by UN-Habitat and acknowledged by the NAZCA UNFCCC system. P4CA represents tens of thousands of planning practitioners and educators globally. Its mission is to catalyse and accelerate climate action through responsible and transformative urban and territorial planning practice, education and research.