Climate Change Risk and the Urban Landscape

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has reported unprecedented warming of the climate system since the 1950s. Climate change trends pose a severe threat to the global environment and economy which requires cooperative action from all international actors. In particular, urban areas are experiencing increasingly frequent climate-related disasters with catastrophic consequences. With the majority of the global population projected to reside in urban areas, it is essential that actions are taken to develop robust response systems. This article seeks to articulate the climate-related risks facing urban areas and the actions taken by private and government actors in Australia in response to these risks. Part II outlines physical climate change risks and liabilities faced by urban areas. Part III discusses the responses of government and private actors in Australia, using Sydney as a case study. Part IV explores the concept of climate justice in relation to the built environment, property rights and corporate governance.