COP31 Puts Cities at Center, but Urban Climate Finance Lags
COP 31 Press Conferences • United NationsNovember 12, 2026
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The COP31 Presidency used a Nov. 12, 2026, press briefing to argue that the climate fight will be won or lost in cities. It cited a first-ever urban dialogue at the Leaders' Summit and a new facility to make city projects bankable. UN-Habitat's data showed the catch: Urban measures now appear in most national climate plans, but few of those plans say how cities will pay for them.
- Cities join the Leaders' Summit for the first time under the COP31 Presidency
- Antalya Compact for Energy-Efficient Buildings and 20 Zero Waste Districts emerge from Resilient Cities day
- SURF facility, launched with UN-Habitat and the World Bank, targets investment-ready urban projects
- 80% of national climate plans now include urban measures, up from 49%
- Fewer than 1 in 5 plans address urban climate finance, UN-Habitat warns
The basics: The COP31 Presidency and UN-Habitat briefed reporters on the outcomes of the High-Level Dialogue on Urban Resilience, Adaptation and Climate Action, held as part of Resilient Cities day. The session was informational. There were no votes or decisions, and no questions were taken from media.
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