Partner: Cities Race to Resilience
Countries and regions: Lagos (Nigeria), Newcastle (Australia), San Francisco (USA), Belfast (UK), Antalya (Türkiye), Saanich (Canada)
SAA system: Nature, oceans and coastal zones

Cities are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Coastal communities in particular face rising sea levels, storm surges and erosion, while urban populations contend with intensifying heat, water stress, and biodiversity loss. In response, local governments are investing in coastal protection, integrating nature into urban planning, and adopting policies that address risk while supporting sustainable development.

This snapshot highlights how several cities involved in Race to Resilience partner, Cities Race to Resilience,  are implementing locally-led adaptation efforts. 

Ocean and coastal zones

Coastal cities are adopting a range of strategies to manage the complex risks of rising seas and extreme weather events. These include coastal engineering, natural buffers, and planning policies that aim to reduce vulnerability while preserving ecosystems and livelihoods.

• Lagos (Nigeria), one of the 50 cities most at risk from sea level rise, is incorporating indigenous knowledge into its adaptation planning. Local insights on tides, weather patterns, and traditional construction methods are being used to improve public awareness and guide community-based resilience measures.

• Newcastle (Australia) is implementing the Stockton Coastal Management Programme (CMP), which aims to deliver large-scale sand nourishment to restore coastal access and create a protective buffer between the ocean and public infrastructure. The plan includes immediate protective measures and long-term collaboration across government levels.

• San Francisco (USA) is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Port of San Francisco on the Waterfront Coastal Flood Study. The study will assess flood risks and identify strategies to reduce current and future vulnerabilities along the city’s 7.5-mile bayside shoreline, supporting investment in adaptation infrastructure.

Nature-based Solutions

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are being increasingly used by cities to manage climate risks, improve urban environments, and enhance biodiversity. These approaches also contribute to global goals, including those under the Sharm el Sheikh Adaptation Agenda and the Nature Positive Cities initiative launched at COP28.

• Belfast (UK) is progressing with the One Million Trees Programme, which saw 40,000 trees planted in its first year. The programme includes a detailed ecological assessment to quantify impacts on carbon storage, air quality, flood risk, heat, biodiversity, and public health, alongside a canopy cover and species analysis.

• Antalya (Türkiye) is installing vegetated buffer strips along agricultural irrigation canals to capture rainwater and prevent erosion. Additional infrastructure is planned to support stormwater management and enhance natural filtration in farming zones.

• Saanich (Canada) has introduced a “Programmed Roof” policy that encourages green roofs and rooftop gardens. These efforts aim to reduce urban heat and support local food production, aligning with updated Development Permit Area (DPA) guidelines.

About Cities Race to Resilience

Cities Race to Resilience supports local governments in advancing adaptation efforts and amplifying their voices in global climate negotiations. The initiative promotes resilience-building alongside emissions reduction targets, offering a platform for cities to showcase progress and share lessons.

In 2024, data from 127 cities was collected via the CDP-ICLEI Track platform. This publicly available data, analysed by Haley Solomon and Lea Busch (CDP), offers insights into locally-led action and serves as a resource for policymakers, civil society, and other stakeholders to inform and inspire further climate resilience efforts.

Local governments interested in joining Cities Race to Resilience and reporting their climate actions can contact:
racetoresilience@iclei.org or lea.busch@cdp.net

The initiative is part of the COP29 Roadmap of the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities (LGMA) Constituency to the UNFCCC, and is supported by a coalition of partners including: C40 Cities, CDP, the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy (GCoM), ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030), Resilient Cities Network, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).