The report discusses the link betweenclimate change and cities, why cities should be concernedabout climate change and adopt early preventative policies,and how the World Bank and other organizations can providefurther support to cities on climate change issues. Thereport is one in a series of activities that explore thenexus of cities and climate change. This report, cities andclimate change: an urgent agenda focuses on three broadissues pertaining to cities and climate change. This paperargues that climate change is an urgent agenda for citiesfor two reasons. First, climate change is a cumulativeprocess. Second, embracing the climate change agenda nowmakes eminent sense from an individual city'sperspective, be it economic, social, or political. It showsthat the city is part of the global sustainable developmentagenda. This report presents an urgent situation. In rapidlygrowing cities, especially in Asia, current developmentpaths are locking in emissions and lifestyles. Many people,particularly the poor, are already affected by climatechange. The next decade will be particularly challenging.Cities will take a more active role in global dialogues andpolicy development as citizen's demand morecomprehensive and immediate responses from all levels of government.