Urban Planning is Climate Action - The C40 and UN-Habitat Accelerator

This session will spotlight the C40 and UN-Habitat Urban Planning Accelerator—an ambitious global initiative supporting cities to transition toward climate-responsive urban planning by 2035. At a time when urban expansion is outpacing population growth, green space is under increasing pressure, and housing systems are becoming more vulnerable to climate risks, cities are on the frontlines of a deepening climate and housing crisis. The Urban Planning Accelerator responds to this challenge by helping cities embed inclusive, climate-focused objectives into master plans, land-use strategies, and urban development frameworks. Already, 33 mayors have committed to the initiative, setting concrete targets and policies to drive more sustainable, resilient, and equitable urban growth. Through this partnership, C40 and UN-Habitat provide coordinated technical, policy, and political support to participating cities—equipping urban leaders and planners with the tools needed to deliver systemic change. This session will highlight the Accelerator’s impact through real-world examples from cities and C40xJameel Urban Planning Labs, demonstrating how climate mitigation and adaptation are being embedded into planning decisions. It will also underscore the value of strong multilateral collaboration in scaling solutions and accelerating implementation on the ground. In addition, the session will spotlight synergies between the Urban Planning Accelerator and The Quality of Life Initiative, which was launched in 2023 by the Quality of Life Program Center of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is implemented globally by UN-Habitat. Together, the Accelerator and the Quality of Life Initiative have the potential to enable cities to connect climate action to broader quality of life outcomes through urban planning, thereby supporting integrated and people-centred approaches. Finally, the session will place cities and their leadership at the forefront, including a moment to welcome and celebrate new cities joining the Urban Planning Accelerator.