6th June 2022, Bonn, Germany (Hybrid)

Green Inclusive and Resilient Cities in South Asia

Heat Wave and Urban Flooding in South Asia – How to Mitigate and Adapt to the New Normal

“A South Asian Civil Society consultation to explore the way forward”

Background –

In a 1.2-degree warmer world, it is no surprise that weather patterns are becoming unpredictable and climate events showing new extreme. The world is witnessing just what is being predicted by climate science and explained in subsequent IPCC reports. What is a real surprise or rather a shock is, to experience this impact of climate change in different forms and intensities around the world?

South Asia has just seen its worst ever summer season where northern parts of both India and Pakistan braved 45 degree and above temperatures, Nepal saw a dry and hot summer with rainfall deficit to highest degrees and Bangladesh witnessed urban flooding without any alarm bells. Adding to the present situation is the fact that cities are showing endogenous growth and urban population is estimated to get doubled by the year 2050, which will include natural progression, urban boundaries taking over peri-urban areas and migration into cities.

The point is – are we prepared for this new normal that is here to stay and could repeat itself in a more aggressive manner in future? What is the response of the respective governments to mitigate the situation and how are civil societies helping communities respond and adapt to the changing weather patterns?

In this backdrop, Climate Action Network South Asia (CANSA) is organizing a civil society consultation to understand the urgency of action by the governments, civil society and communities and explore ways to work together and mitigate the current crisis while getting prepared for future catastrophes that are bound to strike in the region again and again.

Objectives of the consultation –
Reiterate and reflect upon the warnings mentioned in the IPCC Assessment Reports for urban centres in South Asia
Learn about how civil society is addressing these issues in their own capacities
Discuss about the respective governments’ efforts in preparing and mitigating the crises
Explore how global and regional exchanges can shape up a just and inclusive urban transformation.

Points for discussion would include –
How is the government utilising the social protection coverage to benefit vulnerable communities?
How are citizens responding to climate change impacts – is there any civil society action?

Flow of Discussion/ Agenda

S.No	Topic	Speakers	Time
1.	Introducing the Occasion, Objectives of the Session and Panel	Mr. Sanjay Vashist (Moderator), CANSA	5 min
2.	Highlights of IPCC reports specifically on urban centres in South Asia – warning and its interpretation	Mr. Nakul Sharma, CANSA	15 min
3.	Heat Wave and Flooding – South Asian summers of 2022 – a quick recap	Ms. Jyoti Awasthi, Laxmi	10 min
4.	1.Civil Society Actions in responding to the climate crises in South Asia. 2.Governments’ preparedness and response to mitigate the crises – Country wise presentations by CANSA partners	·Dr. Abid Suleri, SDPI Pakistan ·Mr.Shamshuddoha, CPRD Bangladesh ·Mr. Manjeet Dhakal, Climate Analytics CEN, Nepal ·Dr. Shiraz Wajih, GEAG, India	10 to 12 min for each panellist (45 min)
5.	Role of global platforms in facilitating urban transformation towards Urban Resilience	Ms. Almuth Schauber, Specialist for Urban Climate Policies at Misereor	10 min
6.	Concluding remarks	All the participants and listeners	5 min

Youtube Live Streamed – https://www.youtube.com/c/UnfcccInt