Cities around the world are battling more frequent and intense weather events. Extreme heat, flooding, and tropical storms not only destabilize local economies but also hit vulnerable communities the hardest— communities that often lack the resources and infrastructure needed to withstand and recover from these shocks. While cities begin to plan for and adapt to looming climate risks, the gaps in protection continue to widen.
The 8th session of 2024 Cities on the Frontline Speaker
Series, titled “Breaking Down Risk in a Changing Climate”, jointly organized by Resilient Cities Network and Zurich North America, explored how various stakeholders in urban settings perceive, understand, and respond to climate risks. Panelists David Edsey – Climate Director, VP at Zurich North America; Ilaria Giuliani, Chief Resilience Officer for Milan; and Lisa Bitossi, Consultant for Programme Management at the Climate Solutions and Network, C40 Milan discussed strategies that empower cities to tackle climate threats while ensuring no one is left behind.
David Edsey provided a compelling overview of the rising frequency and severity of climate disasters, citing record-breaking years for extreme weather events and their associated costs. He emphasized the growing “protection gap” between insured and uninsured climate-related losses, which disproportionately affects vulnerable communities. David also highlighted the role of insurance in maintaining community stability and underscored the importance of investing in resilience measures to mitigate risks. Using examples from both developed and developing countries, he demonstrated how resilience strategies, including nature-based solutions, can reduce risks and make high-risk areas more insurable.
Following David’s intervention, Ilaria Giuliani shared details of Milan’s Air and Climate Plan, which addresses climate adaptation, mitigation, and air quality improvement. She emphasized the importance of data-driven planning, showcasing the city’s development of a local climate profile to identify risks like heatwaves and poor air quality. Ilaria also highlighted key initiatives, including the Forestami program to plant three million trees by 2030 and incentives to encourage the installation of green roofs and walls on private property. Building on this, Lisa Bitossi introduced the Green and Thriving Neighborhoods for Resilient Communities program, funded by the Zurich Foundation and coordinated by C40 Cities. Lisa explained how the program integrates Milan’s Open Squares for Schools and School Oasis projects to create climate-resilient public spaces. By combining maps of heat risk, access to green spaces, and vulnerable populations, the program prioritizes interventions in areas most affected by climate change. Lisa shared details of a pilot project that transformed a schoolyard and nearby streets into a shaded, green public space, complete with community events to raise awareness of climate resilience. She concluded with plans to develop a participatory neighborhood action plan by 2026.
The session showcased the critical role of collaboration between public, private, and non-profit sectors in addressing climate risks. Through practical examples, the speakers demonstrated how cities can leverage partnerships, data, and community engagement to build inclusive and impactful resilience strategies. The discussions highlighted that effective climate resilience requires integrating solutions into urban planning while prioritizing vulnerable populations to ensure equitable outcomes.
David Edsey
Climate Director, VP, Zurich North, America
“In 2023, global economic losses from disasters was $380 billion dollars, of that $118 billion was insured, so that leaves a protection gap worldwide of 69%.”
Ilaria Giuliani
Chief Resilience Officer, City of Milan
“From a methodological POV, what was very relevant and critical for the municipality was to have a specific document in order to understand which are the main climate risks for the city of Milan.”
Lisa Bitossi
Consultant, Programme Management, Climate Solutions and Network, C40 Milan
“We are presenting this program today, because it perfectly demonstrates how partnerships between the public and private sector can tangibly support resilient measures and implementation also at the local level to generate impact on the ground”
Ming Zhang (Co-host)
Global Director, Urban, Resilience and Land Global Department, World Bank Group
Lynette Lim (Co-host)
Global Director, Communications and Knowledge, R-Cities
