Human Settlements, Energy, and Industry

- Larger and more costly impacts of climate change occur through changed probabilities of extreme weather events that overwhelm the design resiliency of human systems.

- Many adaptation options are available to reduce the vulnerability of settlements. However, urban managers, especially in developing countries, have so little capacity to deal with current problems (housing, sanitation, water, and power) that dealing with climate change risks is beyond their means.

- Lack of financial resources, weak institutions, and inadequate or inappropriate planning are major barriers to adaptation in human settlements.

- Successful environmental adaptation cannot occur without locally based, technically competent, and politically supported leadership.

- Uncertainty with respect to capacity and the will to respond hinder assessment of adaptation and vulnerability.