Climate change is a fundamental threat to development and the fight against poverty.  The World Bank Group (WBG) is concerned that without bold action now, the warming planet threatens to put prosperity out of reach of millions and roll back decades of development. By 2050 70% of the world’s population will live in cities, making them a natural place to focus efforts against climate change and poverty. Cities present a unique opportunity to reach a large percent of the population with climate smart urban solutions.One aspect of the urban government response to climate change that the WBGCC team is currently exploring, with the support of the consulting firm Policy Solutions, is stakeholder engagement. Our experience and research has shown that local governments cannot implement an adequate response to climate change without effectivelyengaging economic actors take actions themselves.  Additionally, local government is well placed to advocate for the transformational changes needed, but are unable to bring about all on their own. These two forms of stakeholder engagement go beyond traditional concepts of good governance. They can be further supported by new information and communications technology, an understanding of behavioral change and institutional innovation.

Dr. Anne Arquit Niederberger will summarize insights from preliminary World Bank research and report on current approaches being used. City-level practitioners are particularly encouraged to join the webinar and share experiences with innovative engagement and advocacy activities, methods and models. Following the webinar, we will bring the conversation to the Scaling Up Climate Action Collaboration Platform to engage in an e-discussion designed to further elicit feedback.  

This webinar is another in the series of knowledge sharing events from our community of practice (CoP) for Scaling up Climate Action in Cities. To join this CoP please visit this link https://collaboration.worldbank.org/groups/scaling-up-climate-change-action-in-cities.We highly value your views, feedback and opinions. Please feel free to share with us any specific questions that you would like answered, expert speakers that you would like featured and reference to expert contributors for e-discussions and provide any other suggestions that you may have to enrich the community and mobilize action on climate change in cities.

Dr. Anne Arquit Niederberger, Policy Solutions – Dr. Arquit Niederberger is Principal at the consultancy Policy Solutions. She has been working in the field of climate change and clean energy since 1989, shifting her focus from climate science to government policy and, since 2001, to strategic consulting. At Policy Solutions, Dr. Arquit Niederberger advises enterprises, governments, international organizations, and other clients around the globe on a range of green economy issues. 

Introductory remarks by Ms. Monali Ranade, Senior Environmental Specialist, World Bank Institute Climate Change Practice

For additional information, please contact Ms. Sara Mills-Knapp at smillsknapp@worldbank.org