Brazil Unveils Initiative to Strengthen Urban Adaptation to Climate Change at COP30
The Ministry of Cities provides technical and scientific support and enables social participation to enhance the resilience of Brazilian municipalities and reduce territorial inequalities
By Nicole Angel/COP30
With 87.4% of Brazil’s population living in urban areas, the effects of climate change—such as floods, droughts, heatwaves, and rising sea levels—are already impacting millions of people across the country. Between 1991 and 2024, climate-related disasters affected 92% of Brazilian municipalities, impacting around 130 million residents and causing billions in damages.
In response to this scenario, the Brazilian government will place urban adaptation at the center of public policy by presenting the AdaptAÇÃO Project, coordinated by the Ministry of Cities, at COP30. The initiative aims to increase territorial resilience and adaptive capacity, while ensuring the right to the city for all.
The initiative will be showcased as a concrete example of Brazil’s commitment to addressing this urgent challenge, especially by transforming the reality of municipalities most in need of support.
At least 50 vulnerable municipalities will be included in the project, with plans to expand to 90 more. Brazilian city governments and consortia were invited to submit proposals to the Ministry by October 21 through a public call.
“AdaptAÇÃO (AdaptACTION) demonstrates that Brazil is ready to integrate science, planning, and social participation into a robust adaptation policy capable of strengthening our cities in the face of the climate crisis,” emphasizes Carlos Tomé Júnior, National Secretary for Urban and Metropolitan Development at the Ministry of Cities.
“Urban adaptation must be recognized as a foundational pillar of Brazil’s national urban policy. Cities are the primary arenas where the climate crisis unfolds—and it is within them that transformative action must be prioritized,” stated Carlos Tomé Júnior.
Concrete Measures
Through specialized technical assistance, the initiative supports local governments in revising urban planning instruments and integrating climate considerations into territorial development strategies. The primary objective is to assist municipalities—particularly those with limited technical capacity—in embedding climate adaptation into land use and zoning decisions.
Moreover, AdaptAÇÃO promotes a collaborative governance model that brings together the federal government, universities, research centers, and civil society. A cornerstone of the project is the AIPUAC Network (Assessment of Urban Policy Instruments and Climate Adaptation), composed of 20 regional hubs, designed to bridge scientific knowledge with local needs and ensure the continued circulation of expertise beyond the program’s duration.
The project also advances integrated solutions for resilient urban planning, including sustainable drainage systems, revitalization of vulnerable areas, regulation of settlements in risk zones, and the use of climate vulnerability indicators in master plans. Each intervention places special emphasis on the most affected social groups, reaffirming Brazil’s commitment to climate justice.
Aligned with the Climate Plan and the Multi-Year Federal Plan (2024–2027), AdaptAÇÃO is part of a strategic portfolio aimed at enhancing Brazil’s urban and territorial resilience—an agenda that will be prominently featured at COP30.
Translation: Michel Emmanuel Félix François (POET/UFC)
Proofreading: Tadeu Azevedo (POET/UFC)