How can cities turn local experience into global climate action?
Convened by Columbia Global Centers Istanbul and Rio, this COP31 panel draws on experiences from Rio de Janeiro, Istanbul, and Hatay to explore how cities are responding to interconnected climate, environmental, social, and economic challenges. Moving beyond disaster preparedness and recovery, the discussion examines urban resilience more broadly, encompassing climate adaptation, sustainable infrastructure, energy transitions, social equity, community engagement, and inclusive urban development.
Bringing together perspectives from climate science, urban governance, community-based action, and climate finance, the panel will explore how locally developed solutions can inform national policies and global climate strategies. It will ask what political, institutional, technological, and financial conditions are needed to translate city-level innovation into systemic change, particularly in emerging economies.
At its core, the discussion will consider how cities can move beyond responding to crises toward building more sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient urban futures—and what it takes to deliver these transformations at scale.
Speakers
Chair: Dr. Erman Ilıcak, Founder and President Emeritus, Rönesans Holding; Co-Chair, Climate-Resilient Cities Working Group, COP31 Business Forum, coordinated by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB)
Alexis Abramson, Dean, Columbia Climate School; Professor of Climate, Columbia University
Alexis Abramson is Dean of the Columbia Climate School and Professor of Climate at Columbia University. An expert in sustainable energy technologies and building energy efficiency, she previously served as Dean of Dartmouth's Thayer School of Engineering and held a senior leadership role at the U.S. Department of Energy. Her work focuses on advancing climate solutions through research, innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and sustainable technology development.
Maria Netto Schneider, Executive Director, Instituto Clima e Sociedade (iCS), Brazil; Former Senior Climate Finance Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
Maria Netto Schneider is an international climate finance and sustainable development expert with over 30 years of experience in climate policy, green investment, and international development. She has held senior positions at the Inter-American Development Bank, New Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Her work focuses on mobilizing public and private finance for climate action, supporting low-carbon development, and strengthening climate resilience in emerging economies.
Andrew J. Kruczkiewicz, Senior Staff Associate II, National Center for Disaster Preparedness; Senior Researcher, International Research Institute for Climate and Society; Faculty Lecturer, Columbia Climate School
Andrew Kruczkiewicz is a climate and disaster risk researcher specializing in extreme weather forecasting, early warning systems, disaster preparedness, and climate adaptation. He works at the intersection of climate science, humanitarian action, and public policy, with particular expertise in translating scientific forecasts into anticipatory action. He also serves as Science Adviser to the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre and has led NASA-supported research on flood early warning systems.
Marcele Oliveira, COP30 Presidency Youth Climate Champion (2025–2026); Executive Director, PerifaLab Institute, Brazil
Marcele Oliveira is a Brazilian climate activist, cultural producer, and former COP30 Presidency Youth Climate Champion. She works at the intersection of climate justice, youth engagement, urban adaptation, and environmental inequality. Through her leadership at PerifaLab and involvement in international climate negotiations, she advocates for meaningful participation of young people and marginalized urban communities in climate policymaking.
This event is only open to those who are accredited to enter the COP31 Blue Zone.