Planning Tools for Climate Action

Key findings of two recent reports on approaches to advance climate action through urban and territorial planning will be presented: Royal Town Planning Institute and Town and Country Planning Association. Planning for Climate Crisis: A Guide for Local Authorities (TCPA and RTPI, 2025) Urban Climate Change Research Network. Third Assessment Report on Climate Change and Cities. (UCCRN, 2026). These two reports review projections of climate impacts predicted for cities, outline strategies for response, and illustrate implementation of the strategies by local authorities worldwide. Historical and scientific background is summarized; detailed approaches to mitigation and adaptation are given with attention to all planning sectors including land use, building practices, transportation, housing, water and waste management, disaster response and reconstruction, and food systems. Practices for interdisciplinary cooperation with architects, engineers, landscape architects, policy analysts, and public administrators are explained, as are approaches to good decision making such as citizen engagement. Challenges of specific geographic settings including informal settlements, low-lying coastal and island areas, deserts, and steep slopes are examined. The importance and unique potential contributions of urban and territorial planning will be emphasized with attention to how climate action can be integrated into mainstream planning instruments such as comprehensive plans. Key messages for elected officials will be highlighted. Strategies for overcoming institutional and financial barriers to planned climate action will be identified. Differential impacts on vulnerable populations will be highlighted. Examples discussed will be drawn from case studies of Singapore, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, London, Cape Town, Auckland, Bogotá, Sao Paulo, Oslo, Nairobi, Mumbai, Amman, Portland, Milan, Delhi, Austin, Mexico City, Jakarta, Shanghai, and Medellin.