Towards a Special Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change & Findings of the Innovate4Cities conference

Closing data and research gaps is crucial for developing effective urban solutions: it ensures that cities have the comprehensive, accurate information needed to address complex challenges and make informed decisions for a sustainable future.

Building on the momentum of the 2024 Innovate4Cities Conference (I4C24), which gathered over 2,000 participants at the intersection of urban development, climate science, and innovation, this session drives forward critical conversations on the key role of cities in accelerating climate action. With the IPCC Special Report on Cities and Climate Change on the horizon, this panel discussion offers an opportunity to shape the future of urban resilience.

At I4C24, leaders from cities, academia, civil society, and industry convened to synthesize the latest knowledge on urban climate challenges and advance solutions in preparation for the next-generation Global Research and Action Agenda on Cities and Climate Change: a systems approach to research and innovation that identifies the latest knowledge and action priorities to deliver just and equitable action for climate-resilient development. This session spotlights the I4C24 Outcomes Report, featuring takeaways from the conference and the roadmap ahead to pursue accelerated climate action across cities through knowledge and innovation.

The session emphasizes the importance of strategic foresight in urban planning, leveraging outcomes from the UN Summit of the Future to incorporate forward-looking perspectives into urban infrastructure and policy-making. This alignment ensures a timely discussion on how global frameworks can be localized effectively, bridging the gap between high-level policy aspirations and practical, local implementation. The event explores how cities around the world can apply futures thinking and strategic foresight to anticipate, prepare for, and mitigate future climatic and social challenges.

By combining the anticipatory capabilities of strategic foresight with the practical solutions offered by innovation, cities can develop a unified agenda that not only addresses current climate challenges but also prepares for future uncertainties. Through a focus on investment readiness and financing, supported by platforms like the C40 Cities Finance Facility, the session highlights pathways to align urban climate ambitions with concrete financial strategies and resources. The event is grounded in the integrated approach to ensure that cities are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to achieve long-term climate resilience and sustainability across the themes and topics of the GRAA.

Participants will actively shape the conversation, sharing regional and national challenges while identifying critical next steps for effective urban climate action. This will help refine strategies and drive solutions ahead of the next round NDCs, bolstered by multi-level governance - as as well as the upcoming IPCC Special Report.