Understanding How and Why Cities Engage with Climate Policy: An Analysis of Local Climate Action in Spain and Italy

De Gregorio Hurtado, Sonia and Olazabal, Marta and Salvia, Monica and Pietrapertosa, Filomena and Olazabal, Eduardo and Geneletti, Davide and D'Alonzo, Valentina and Di Leo, Senatro and Reckien, Diana (2015) Understanding How and Why Cities Engage with Climate Policy: An Analysis of Local Climate Action in Spain and Italy. TeMA Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, ECCA15. pp. 23-46. ISSN 1970-9870

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Abstract

Cities significantly contribute to climate change while at the same time have government capacity to efficiently act in the fields of mitigation and adaptation. Their climate capacity is being increasingly recognized by international institutions and has been pointed out as crucial in the multi-level government scenario of the European Union (EU). Addressing the challenges of climate change at urban level is a complex issue which requires a holistic approach to strategic urban planning. Understanding why and how cities start action can help to identify the barriers they face when addressing climate change, and how national governments, regions and international bodies can support local authorities in their climate fight. This work aims to contribute to the provision of knowledge necessary to have a better and deeper insight in urban climate action. The study investigates the state-of-art of urban climate plans in two countries, Spain and Italy, which share similarities on many levels (i.e. cultural, geographical, climate vulnerabilities, urban configurations and institutional framework). The research analyses 26 Spanish cities and 32 Italian cities included in the Eurostat Urban Audit (UA), focusing on the actions taken by big and medium municipalities in reducing their contribution to climate change and to become more resilient to changing weather patterns. The results of the analysis show a trend towards an increasing awareness on climate mitigation (highly focused on energy efficiency and the promotion of cleaner energy sources), while adaptation remains an incipient local policy area in both countries. The analysis identifies also the beneficial influence of national and international climate city networks.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Special Issue, 2nd European Conference on Climate Adaptation (ECCA 2015) Copenhagen "Smart and Resilient Cities. Ideas and Practices from the South of Europe"
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Urban climate policy; mitigation plan; adaptation plan; Spain; Italy
Subjects:	700 Arti, Belle arti e Arti decorative > 710 Urbanistica e paesistica > 711 Urbanistica (Pianificazione territoriale) (Classificare le opere d'insieme su Urbanistica e Architettura in 720; classificare le opere interdisciplinari sull'Urbanistica in 307.12) 700 Arti, Belle arti e Arti decorative > 710 Urbanistica e paesistica > 711 Urbanistica (Pianificazione territoriale) (Classificare le opere d'insieme su Urbanistica e Architettura in 720; classificare le opere interdisciplinari sull'Urbanistica in 307.12) > 711.094 Urbanistica - Europa (Pianificazione territoriale - Europa)
Depositing User:	Rosa Anna La Rocca
Date Deposited:	15 Dec 2015 09:27
Last Modified:	15 Dec 2015 09:27
URI:	http://eprints.bice.rm.cnr.it/id/eprint/11835

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