Distinguished Prof. Xuemei Bai, Ph.D, the Future Earth Urban Knowledge-Action network Co-chair and member of the Earth Commission, has published an expert piece in Science ahead of the upcoming Special Report on Climate Change and Cities. In Prof. Bai’s piece, “Make the upcoming IPCC Cities Special Report count,” she reflecs on the need to focus on cities both as drivers and bearers of impacts of global environmental change.

“Expectations are high that this upcoming special report will substantially enhance awareness, shape policy, and catalyze actions across mitigation and adaptation within cities and beyond,” says Prof Bai.

The IPCC already took proactive steps by sponsoring a Science Conference on Cities and Climate Change in 2018, which led to the identification of six research priorities. Nonetheless, the urban research field remains dispersed and it will be important to engage researchers beyond the urban field in order to develop this Special Report and make it count.