Global Covenant of Mayors Understanding Climate Risks & Vulnerabilities to Plan for Climate Change Adaptation.

The training aims to equip city representatives with the knowledge and practical tools necessary to assess climate risks and vulnerabilities and to develop robust Climate Action Plans.
The two-part training, facilitated by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission and esteemed representatives from the scientific and government communities, will immerse participants in interactive activities and hands-on exercises. These dynamic sessions are designed to foster active engagement and dialogue, allowing attendees to articulate their perspectives while acquiring a deep understanding of the presented climate adaptation methodologies.

The training event aligns closely with the WUF12 theme "It All Starts at Home: Local Actions for Sustainable Cities and Communities" and specifically connects with Dialogue 2, "Cities and the climate crisis." This relevance is established through the training's focus on empowering local city representatives with the knowledge and tools necessary to conduct Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (CRVAs), which are foundational to creating effective Climate Action Plans. These plans are vital for cities to adapt to climate change impacts and to enhance their resilience, directly addressing the challenges highlighted in Dialogue 2. The training's objectives dovetail with the urgent need for cities to develop localized adaptation and mitigation strategies in response to climate change, a core concern of Dialogue 2. By engaging participants in interactive activities and hands-on exercises, the training facilitates a practical understanding of the processes involved in assessing climate risks and vulnerabilities. In summary, the training provides a platform for city representatives to build capacity in understanding climate risks and preparing for climate change adaptation, which is a critical component of creating sustainable, safe, resilient, and environmentally just cities and communities—the essence of the WUF12 theme and Dialogue 2's focus. The training event is also intrinsically linked to Dialogue 3 "Stronger Together," highlighting the significance of partnerships in addressing global challenges through local actions, as the Global Covenant of Mayors itself is a prime example of an alliance fostering collaboration among cities to enhance climate resilience and sustainable urban development.

1. Conduct Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments (CRVAs) using Earth Observation data and other tools to identify local climate risks and adaptive capacities.
2. Develop targeted Climate Action Plans that integrate local conditions and priorities, aligning with global sustainability frameworks and methodologies.
3. Implement adaptation strategies for urban resilience, particularly in response to extreme heat, utilizing best practices shared from various GCoM regions.
1. Introduction (10’): Welcome and overview of GCoM & climate action planning.
2. Data for Climate Resilience (10’): Utilizing Earth Observation for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
3. Risk Assessment Workshop (50’): Interactive photo exercise to identify local climate risks, vulnerabilities, and capacities.
4. Collaborative Reflection (10’): Group discussion to share insights followed by a Q&A session.
5. Break (10’): Short intermission for networking and refreshments.
6. Urban Heat Adaptation (15’): Exploring strategies to combat extreme heat challenges in urban environments.
7. Global Case Study (15’): Insights into climate adaptation efforts in or Sub-Saharan Africa.
8. From Risks to Actions (30’): Group activity to translate risk assessment findings into concrete adaptation goals and initiatives.
9. Interactive Debrief (10’): Open forum for questions and exchange of ideas.
10. Conclusion (20’): Participant evaluations, summary card creation.