City-level climate change adaptation strategies: the case of Quito, Ecuador

Climate change adaptation strategies at city-level are increasingly important for identifying and implementing adequate responses to climatic threats. Quito’s Climate Change Strategy (QCCS) includes a range of innovative programmes that combine risk reduction with institutional capacity building and enhanced citizen participation. This case study presents the story of how such an innovative policy package came to be implemented, including the contextual and enabling factors that made it possible. It concludes by presenting the current status of the QCCS’ implementation, remaining challenges for the future, and lessons learned that may be useful for other cities.