How climate change is a grave threat to billions in urbanised world

Many cities are exposed to multiple climate hazards. Out of 571 cities analysed in Europe, more than 100 were found to be vulnerable to two or more climate impacts. Photo: AFP

From searing "heat islands" to flash floods and rising seas, an increasing torrent of climate change impacts threatens half of the world's population living in urban areas, a major report by United Nations experts said recently.

Cities will have to adapt to protect people, property and crucial infrastructure in an intricately interconnected world economy where shocks can ripple across global supply chains.