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involved in urbanization, thus referring to a dichotomy. It is suggested that
energy consumption has negative effects on climate change. It is estimated
that cities consume 78% of the total energy in the world and thus, consume
much more than needed. Likewise, in another report prepared by UN-
Habitat in 2011, the anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in the cities
were identified as 40-70%. For this reason, it is important that climate change
adaptation policies should be planned with the energy arrangements in mind.
For adaptation to climate change, low-carbon development and urban growth
are proposed. Low-carbon development aims to distinguish emissions from
economic growth and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, it is
discussed that a well-planned urbanization process could be managed. On
the other hand, urban planners have a key role in organizing land use policies
to separate vulnerable areas such as forests, agricultural lands, and green areas
hosting unique species, areas with a high level of biodiversity and wetlands
from cities. Additionally, it is emphasized that local plans and strategies should
be promoted to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions (UN-Habitat, 2016: 59).
Another document developed by UNDP in 2015, known as Global Goals is
“The Sustainable Development Goals”, made up of 17 articles. The document,
which includes various goals like ending hunger and poverty, providing
equality, and forming sustainable cities and communities by 2030, also has a
separate article for climate action (13th Article). It is aimed that as the building
blocks of climate change adaptation, planning process should be improved,
economic, social, environmental and spatial links should be promoted, and
feasible policies should be developed. For this goal to be realized, the holistic
approach between the administration, the individual and the environment
must be internalized, and urban growth approach should be considered
with solutions towards climate change adaptation, such as compact city, and
carbon-neutral city (UNDP, 2015).
The 2018 report, “Evaluation of the EU Strategy on adaptation to climate
change” issued by EC evaluates climate change effects in the context of urban
environment. It is stated that the economic activities in the cities should be
classified based on their level of contribution to adaptation as environmentally
sustainable objects. Additionally, the boundaries of urban growth should be re-
arranged according to green-growth principles. Thus, it is suggested that it is
possible to create caritas promoting a climate-resistant economy, sustainable
urban growth, investments and job opportunities. The 2019 “European Green
Deal” aims to promote green growth, and thus, mitigate greenhouse gas
emissions to net zero, and deal with climate crisis (EC, 2019).
The report, Adapting to Climate Change in Urban Areas (The Possibilities
and Constraints in Low- and Middle-Income Nations) was prepared by IIED
in 2007. The report states that if urban growth is prioritized, climate change

182 Journal of Environment, Urbanization and Climate,