Urban growth is a contemporary challenge. More than half of the world's population currently lives in cities and urbanization continues to expand. With this growth, the numbers of the urban poor are increasing, particularly in developing countries. The urban poor are especially vulnerable to climate change because their homes are frequently located in hazardous areas.

Finding solutions

Despite their living conditions, the urban poor have a proven capacity to improve and invest in their communities.

The lives of the urban poor can be improved while limiting emissions and adapting to climate change. This can be done by providing the urban poor with basic services that are climate friendly and efficient and also by implementing appropriate adaptations to reduce their vulnerability to climate change. Watch the webcast of the Urban Poor special event at the 2013 UN Climate Change Conference in Warsaw.

UN Global Climate Action Awards: Urban Poor

UN Global Climate Action Awards: Urban Poor highlights activities that address climate change while improving livelihoods and living conditions in urban areas of developing countries. UN Global Climate Action Awards: Urban Poor was generously supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation from 2011-2015.

Recognizing action in urban poor communities

UN Global Climate Action Awards: Urban Poor showcases projects that demonstrate concrete results to address climate change. Explore all our award-winning projects in Urban Poor focus area below.