GAM Launches Second Climate Action Plan, Climate Risk Assessment Study

The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) on Thursday unveiled its second Amman Climate Action Plan and the city's first Climate Risk Assessment Study, //marking a significant step towards bolstering the city's resilience against climate change.// Amman Mayor Yousef Shawarbeh underscored the municipality's commitment to reducing carbon emissions through a collaborative approach. He emphasized that the updated climate action plan, developed in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), aims to integrate climate action into all GAM operations while fostering sustainability. "The plan is a living document," Shawarbeh noted, highlighting that periodic reviews and updates will be conducted to meet climate objectives as Amman adapts to evolving challenges and opportunities. He also reiterated the municipality's goal of achieving carbon neutrality and climate resilience by 2050, in line with Amman's commitments to the Paris Agreement an d the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as its membership in the C40 Cities Network. Randa Abu Hosn, Resident Representative of UNDP Jordan, called the launch a "pivotal moment" in the global fight against climate change, pointing out that both the plan and the risk assessment study reflect the progress made while outlining the challenges that remain in creating a sustainable and resilient future. Dima Abu Diab, National Program Coordinator at the United Nations Program, stressed the essential role cities play in addressing climate change, noting that urban areas contribute to 75 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, largely through buildings and transportation. However, she highlighted the potential of cities to mitigate these effects through flexible infrastructure and sustainable urban planning. Local climate change advisor Reem Halsa presented findings from the climate risk report, which provided data-driven analyses of Amman's vulnerability to climate change, supported by spatial maps and future impact scenarios. Nisreen Daoud, Director of the Sustainable Development Unit at GAM, offered an overview of the new climate action plan, which balances efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Daoud highlighted areas for improvement, considering the municipality's current capabilities and future challenges, stressing the importance of institutionalizing climate action across all GAM operations. The launch event also included input from GAM Advisor Iyad Halees, who emphasized the need to align the city's urban planning system with climate objectives, describing it as a timely and unprecedented opportunity to integrate regulatory frameworks with environmental goals. The second Amman Climate Action Plan and Climate Risk Assessment Study were developed under the "Sustainable Urban Development and Resource Efficiency" program, funded by the Global Environment Facility, and the "Inclusive, Safe, Resilient and Sustainable Development in Urban Areas Hosting Syrian Refugees in Jordan and Turkey" project, funded by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Both were prepared with technical support from the C40 Cities Network and a team of local and international experts. Source: Jordan News Agency