As a result of rapid urbanization, temperature levels and flood risks are rising in the Global South. In a piece for Devex, Sam Downes, Junior Fellow, Artha Global, writes that cities in the Global South need to be placed at the core of the climate agenda, or the worldwide goal of decarbonization could fail to achieve its goals. 

Excerpts below:

“The global south is where the bulk of urbanization will happen over the next 30 years. India will add over 200 million people — the equivalent of 20 new megacities — to its urban population between 2011 and 2036, up from 377 million to 594 million”

“Instead of arguing about when the $100 billion promised by high-income nations to tackle climate change should be delivered, the focus should be on how it can be spent — through urban infrastructure investment, for example, cushioning private investment, and improving municipal capacities”. 

Read the full article here.