Cities, climate change and adaptation: a case study from Natal/RN, Brazil

Abstract

The cities are primarily responsible for intensifying the phenomenon of climate change through greenhouse effect emissions, but they also play a major role in tackling of this phenomenon through the adoption of measures, for example, of adaptation. So understanding what cities have been doing to adapt to climate change is an important step in building less vulnerable and more sustainable cities. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the city of Natal has internalized the issue of climate change, identifying and analyzing existing climate adaptation strategies at the local level. For this, the methodology follows a qualitative approach, using the methods of bibliographic survey, documentary research, conducting semi-structured interviews, observing meetings and analyzing content. In analyzing and discussing the results, the authors note that, in Natal, even with the adoption of some measures to respond to the effects of climate change, the city presents a series of barriers and obstacles to advance in the process of climate adaptation. In summary, the authors conclude that, within the scope of the city of Natal, the theme of climate change, nor of adaptation, is not at the heart of the agendas of the municipal government agenda.