About 43% of global cities lack a plan for adapting to climate change issues, yet 93% say their people and infrastructure are at risk from climate change, according to a report from nonprofit CDP that assembled self-reported environmental data from 800 cities worldwide. In the U.S., where 169 cities reported data, 40% do not have a climate adaptation plan.

Funding is one key obstacle, with 25% of reporting cities saying budgetary constraints are a main barrier to their making progress on climate adaptation measures.

CDP reports a 17-time increase in cities disclosing their data in 2020, compared with the first report in 2011. Data reporting is just the first step on the journey, according to Katie Walsh, CDP North America head of cities, states and regions. "The next step after you identify risk is actually developing an adaptation plan. We want all cities that are identifying risks to have associated adaption plans. The 60% number says that we're on our way," she said.

CDP provides a platform for cities to disclose, measure and manage their environmental data to build resilience and sustainable economies. It reportedly has the most comprehensive global collection of self-reported environmental data from cities, corporations and investors.

Some of the climate-related hazards that cities say put citizens at risk are extreme heat, increasing extreme storms, flooding, drought and air pollution. Sixty percent of cities are facing risks to their water security. In fact, water supply and sanitation is the city services category most reported to be affected by climate change, followed by public health, environment/forestry, residential and transportation.

The report notes that buildings, transportation, energy and waste are key areas that have the greatest potential for emissions reductions in most cities. But as of last year, only 50% of cities are optimizing building energy use; 42% are addressing transportation emissions; 34% are working to decarbonize the electricity grid and 33% are improving waste operations. "Our data shows there is still a gap between what is needed and what cities are doing," the report says.

Read the full article about funding for climate change by Katie Pyzyk at Smart Citie Dive.