Learning from Spanish urban climate adaptation: opportunities and challenges for strengthening climate governance in Brazilian cities

Abstract

Climate change increasingly impacts urban areas, particularly in developing countries. Although some Brazilian cities have advanced climate adaptation policies, these initiatives remain concentrated in a limited number of municipalities. In this context, the objective of this study is to analyze climate adaptation strategies implemented in Spanish cities and evaluate their potential applicability to the Brazilian urban context. The study adopts a qualitative comparative approach combining bibliographic and documentary research, analysis of climate policies, and technical field visits to fourteen Spanish cities. The comparative analysis focused on identifying adaptation measures with the greatest potential for transfer to Brazil while considering differences in governance capacity, financial resources, urban infrastructure, and climatic conditions. The results indicate that climate shelters, sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS), infiltration gardens, public drinking-water fountains, urban shading structures, and green infrastructure constitute feasible strategies for many Brazilian municipalities. The study concludes that international cooperation and the exchange of successful urban experiences can support the development of more resilient Brazilian cities, provided that adaptation policies are tailored to regional climatic diversity, institutional capacities, and local socioeconomic conditions.