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Abstract

Cities are at the epicentre of climate challenges and public health opportunities. Urban areas, home to over half the global population, generate the majority of greenhouse gas emissions while facing heightened exposure to air pollution, heat stress, and chronic disease. Yet they are also uniquely positioned to deliver synergistic climate-health benefits due to their dense populations, governance capacity, and infrastructure concentration.
This report presents a framework for realizing co-benefits through urban action across four key pathways:(1) phasing out fossil fuels to improve air quality; (2) promoting plant-based diets to enhance public health and reduce emissions; (3) supporting active mobility and public transport to increase physical activity; and(4) designing resilient urban form to mitigate heat and foster well-being.