Speaker: Paty Romero–Lankao of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Adapting to climate change in just ways is embedded in global agreements such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. However, climate-adaptation policies can shape inequality in vulnerability and risk. Dr. Romero will highlight how 43 city adaptation plans attempt to address inequality in climate risk to urban populations and food-energy-water (FEW) systems, and how case studies show that short-term policy responses to floods, wildfires and other hazards do not address root causes of unequal vulnerability. Progress depends on integrating climate agendas and development priorities related to equality and justice.