Cities and Climate Change Initiative: Maputo, Mozambique

This document briefly introduces environmental risks and vulnerability of the city of Maputo, Mozambique. Maputo is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change since it faces the Indian Ocean and is the most densely populated urban area in Mozambique. The rising sea level has resulted in salty intrusion, impacting on agricultural activities and contributing to urban poverty. Further sea-level rises will result in flooding of the lowest topographical areas – which are the most populated – negatively impacting on the urban poor who have limited capacity to adapt to climate change. Maputo is one of the 4 cities that participate in the Cities and Climate Change Initiative (CCCI) aimed at strengthening the climate change response of cities and local governments.