In the summer, Cape Town came within weeks of becoming the world’s first major modern city to run out of water.
Only severe water-saving measures have so far averted Day Zero.
New research from C40 Cities and the Global Covenant of Mayors estimates that by 2050, over 650 million urban residents – equivalent to twice the population of the US – will be vulnerable to drought.
The same report, “The Future We Don’t Want – How Climate Change Could Impact the World’s Greatest Cities”, forecasts that extremely high summer temperatures will become the norm for more than 1.6 billion people, pushing to the limit the water supplies that we all rely on.
As mayor of Cape Town, I am committed to facing the challenges of climate change with courage and determination.
By repairing water infrastructure, driving innovation in the way we value and use water, and mobilising communities to ensure our collective water security, we can create resilient, sustainable and liveable cities around the world.
That is why, as a leading member of C40 Cities and the Global Covenant of Mayors, I am committed to bold climate action that benefits all citizens.
Together, we must learn to do more with less, and support citizens to make the most of the resources we have available.
As mayor, I have no greater responsibility than to protect the health, prosperity and welfare of citizens today and for generations to come.
** “The Future We Don’t Want – How Climate Change Could Impact the World’s Greatest Cities” was produced in partnership by C40, Global Covenant of Mayors, the Urban Climate Change Research Network and Acclimatise.