Housing affordability, energy poverty and extreme heat are placing growing pressure on municipalities, particularly where local capacities and resources are limited. Addressing these challenges requires climate measures that cut emissions and build resilience at the same time, while responding to the needs of vulnerable households, residents and workers, including building renovation, heat-risk planning and passive and nature-based cooling solutions. Gaps between national policy frameworks and local implementation, differences in municipal capacities and limited access to finance can make it difficult to turn climate commitments into action.
Bringing together municipal and regional perspectives from Türkiye, Brazil and India with EU partners this session will examine practical approaches to municipal cooperation, urban heat planning, passive and nature-based cooling, and social inclusion. City representatives will share local experiences and implementation challenges, followed by partner responses on how national support platforms, financing, skills development and green employment can strengthen local delivery and support a just transition, including through better access to affordable, climate-resilient housing and cooling.