Part of a new industry series: Inhabiting the Future™: Climate Risk Intelligence™ for Cities & Urban Infrastructure
Cities occupy just 3% of the Earth’s land surface but are responsible for over 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As dense hubs of human activity, they drive climate change through energy-heavy transportation, high fossil fuel use, industrial processes, and the construction and operation of buildings. Urban lifestyles often require more electricity, water, and materials than rural areas, and the concentration of economic activity increases the carbon footprint of metropolitan regions. The growth of cities into surrounding areas, called urban sprawl, also causes deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and destruction of carbon sinks, further worsening their environmental impact.
At the same time, cities are acutely vulnerable to the very climate disruptions they help cause. Rising temperatures exacerbate the urban heat island effect, making cities significantly hotter than their rural surroundings, with disproportionate consequences for older people, low-income populations, and communities of color. Coastal cities face increasing risks from sea-level rise, storm surges, and saltwater intrusion, threatening housing, transportation corridors, and critical infrastructure. Inland towns are not spared either, as more frequent and severe flooding, droughts, and extreme weather events disrupt public services, displace residents, and undermine local economies.
This dual role, as both causes of climate change and frontline areas of its impact, places cities at a crossroads. Their central role in the climate equation makes them powerful tools for change. Investments in clean energy, green infrastructure, and climate-resilient urban planning can significantly cut emissions while boosting resilience. However, the opportunity for real action is shrinking. Without quick and decisive change, the world’s cities risk becoming increasingly unlivable, facing climate-induced migration, infrastructure breakdowns, and rising inequality.
Recognizing cities as both drivers and victims of climate change reframes the challenge: the path to climate resilience must run through urban systems. Building climate risk intelligence into every aspect of urban development, energy, housing, transportation, water, and governance, is not optional. It is the foundation for inhabiting the future.
Ready to get started? To learn more about how ClimaTwin can help you assess the physical and financial impacts of future weather and climate extremes on your infrastructure assets, capital programs, and investment portfolios, please visit www.climatwin.com today.
© 2025 ClimaTwin Corp. All rights reserved worldwide. ClimaTwin® is a registered trademark of ClimaTwin Corp. The ClimaTwin logos, ClimaTwin Solutions™, Climate Risk Intelligence™, Future-proofing assets today for tomorrow’s climate extremes™, Mining the Future™, Powering the Future™, and Inhabiting the Future™ are trademarks of ClimaTwin Corp. All trademarks, service marks, and logos are protected by applicable laws and international treaties, and may not be used without prior written permission of ClimaTwin Corp.
###