Amman Climate Action Plan.

This Amman Climate Action Plan (CAP) is the second document developed for the City of Amman and reflects the commitment of the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) to integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation across all its operations in order to enhance the quality of life of its citizens. It also reflects the evolving context of increasing human and institutional capacities for mainstreaming climate change, and for applying the C40 CAP Framework. The mitigation strategies and actions for city-wide greenhouse gas emissions have been developed for three scenarios (1) Existing and Planned Scenario; (2) Ambitious Scenario; (3) Extended Scenario. In general, the three scenarios contain strategies and actions for decarbonizing the electricity grid, adopting of circular waste economy, shifting towards public transportation and low carbon modes, integrated urban planning, and adopting energy efficiency measures (buildings, industry, transportation), albeit with progressively increasing levels of decarbonization to arrive at GAM’s target of net-zero emissions by 2050.
For this second Climate Action Plan, the main focus to date is on flood risk analysis and management, and as such most of the strategies and actions pertain to building city reliance on flood hazards. Going forward, the city will expand its focus to other climate hazards - this will be a key outcome of the detailed analysis of the climate hazards in Amman, being developed in the Vulnerability Assessment for GAM. The adaptation strategies included in the document are (i) reduce flood risk in critical areas by 50% by 2040; (ii) Early Warning System for Flooding; (iii) reduce water network losses by 70% by 2040; (iv) improve water efficiency in buildings by 25% by 2030; (v) safeguard water supply; (vi) mitigate or maintain the urban heat island effect and carbon emissions in Amman through blue and green infrastructure and improve the quality of green spaces; (vii) improve urban food security; (viii) track change in communicable diseases through online system.
In addition to GHG emissions reductions, the implementation of adaptation strategies and actions will provide many co-benefits, since the transition to a green economy fosters job creation, stimulates local economic growth, and generates positive spillover effects. Investments in sustainable practices lead to reduced air and land pollution, improving public health and protecting groundwater from contamination. Environmentally sound waste disposal minimizes littering, while energy efficiency measures lower dependence on imported fossil fuels, yielding macroeconomic benefits. Municipalities benefit from cost reductions through shared investments, lower maintenance, and decreased operational energy expenses. Additionally, enhanced urban liveability - through improved public lighting, expanded green spaces, and reduced congestion - contributes to greater well-being and social cohesion.