The difference between municipal lip service
and actually creating a climate-proof city . . .

Examples of urban resilience in the face of climate change. . . might be the work of a CRO. Atlanta just appointed one, responsible for coordinating efforts across city departments against the effects of warming, among other concerns. Flood prevention, emergency management, fresh water security, and other adaptations to climate change are on the list.

If your city could do with more resiliency initiatives, suggest hiring a CRO. For the first two years the Atlanta position is being paid and supplied with ‘resilience-building tools’ by 100 Resilient Cities, an initiative created by the Rockefeller Fund. Although 100RC has filled its hundred slots, those experiences, detailed on their website, are a good snapshot of what can be done to dampen the shocks and stresses your city may be facing.