'According to the United Nations, around 50% of the world's population will soon live in cities, but they account for 75% of all energy use. So a majority of the world's energy consumption either occurs in cities or as a direct result of the way that cities function.'

Tyndall Centre for Climate change Research, 2004

We can now say with a very high degree of certainty that as this century proceeds climate change will have an increasing impact on human society; and that an increasing majority of the world’s population will be living in cities, with a significant part of the impacts of climate change being mediated through the experiences and actions of the urban population.

The relationship between climate change and cities will be of vital importance to the future well being of the human population during this century, as these two major drivers of change, climate change and urbanisation interact. It is particularly useful to think about the issue of Climate Change specifically in terms of how it relates to cities, for three main reasons:

• over 75% of energy consumption is directly related to cities
• in many cases cities are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change
• cities have a great potential to instigate innovative solutions (in the form of both adaptations and emissions reductions)

Cities occupy a pivotal position, as major energy consumers, but also as centres of innovation and new thinking. International links can be built between cities, even when states cannot agree. The British Council maintains a physical presence in the vast majority of the world’s biggest cities providing a fantastic opportunity for stimulating global dialogue. Focusing thematic activity on cities and their hinterlands will generate a fresh perspective on the climate issue, building awareness of the challenges and potential solutions, and fostering debate about what action is needed.