1. Implement Land Use Planning: Strategic urban planning can mitigate the effects of climate change. This can include increasing green spaces, preserving natural ecosystems, managing flood-prone areas, and integrating climate considerations into city planning.
2. Improve Public Transportation: By providing reliable, efficient, and affordable public transport, cities can reduce reliance on private vehicles thus decreasing carbon emissions.
3. Promote Renewable Energy: Cities can invest, incentivize, and facilitate use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.
4. Increase Energy Efficiency: Cities can work on improving the energy efficiency of buildings and infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption.
5. Develop Waste Management Systems: Proper waste management, recycling programs, and composting can decrease the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
6. Promote Sustainable Architecture: Cities can implement building codes that promote energy-saving designs, green roofs, and other sustainable architectural practices.
7. Encourage Active Transportation: Cities can design and build infrastructure that encourages walking, biking, and other forms of active transportation.
8. Plant More Trees: Urban forestry can serve as a carbon sink, while also providing shade and reducing heat island effects.
9. Implement Water Conservation Measures: This can include encouraging water-efficient appliances and fixtures, implementing rainwater harvesting, and educating citizens about water conservation.
10. Reduce Industrial Emissions: Regulate and limit the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from factories and power plants within city limits.
11. Green Infrastructure: Introduce and maintain green infrastructure such as permeable pavements, bio-swales, and rain gardens to manage stormwater, reduce flooding, and decrease urban heat island effects.
12. Climate Education and Awareness: Educate the community about the impacts of climate change and encourage sustainable practices.
13. Create Resilient Infrastructure: Plan and build infrastructure that can withstand the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise, increased storm intensity, and heatwaves.
14. Enhance Local Food Systems: Support urban agriculture to decrease reliance on long-distance food transportation, reduce food waste, and promote healthier diets.
15. Set Emission Reduction Targets: Establish and enforce goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the city.
16. Promote Electric Vehicles: Encourage electric vehicle use by providing charging stations and offering incentives for electric car purchase.
17. Develop Climate Action Plans: All cities should develop comprehensive climate action plans that outline specific strategies for tackling climate change at the local level.
18. Collaborate with Surrounding Regions: Climate change does not respect city boundaries; therefore, it's important for cities to work together on regional strategies for mitigation.