Background
Uruguay faces growing threats from climate change, including rising average and extreme temperatures, increasing rainfall and wind intensity, and sea level rise. Climate models consistently project these trends to intensify by the end of the century. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable: while coastal cities are directly affected by sea level rise, higher temperatures and changing wind patterns present widespread challenges across the country. These phenomena contribute to more frequent heatwaves and the formation of urban heat islands, with direct impacts on human health, especially among children and the elderly, and increased energy demand for cooling, which in turn raises greenhouse gas emissions.
Wind plays a key role in shaping urban microclimates by influencing ventilation and heat dissipation in built environments. Studies conducted under Uruguay’s National Adaptation Plan for Cities (PNA-Ciudades, 2021) have highlighted the importance of understanding local wind dynamics and thermal patterns to design effective adaptation measures. Despite these advances, significant gaps remain in the availability of high-resolution, systematic climate data, particularly temperature and wind measurements at the city scale, which are necessary to support evidence-based urban planning and resilience strategies.
CTCN Support
Through the CTCN, Uruguay will strengthen its technical and institutional capacities to generate, analyze, and apply localized climate data on temperature extremes and wind behavior in urban areas. The assistance will support the development of validated technical criteria and methodologies to prioritize vulnerable urban zones, establish a pilot climate monitoring plan, and explore nature-based and technological solutions for adaptation. CTCN’s support will facilitate knowledge exchange, integrate research and innovation into local adaptation strategies, and promote scalable approaches that can be replicated in other urban areas of the country.
Expected Outcome
The initiative will enhance Uruguay’s institutional and technical capacity to address climate risks in cities by improving access to high-quality, systematic climate information at the urban scale. This will enable the design and implementation of effective adaptation measures to mitigate the impacts of extreme heat and urban heat islands. As a result, Uruguay will be better equipped to integrate innovation, research, and nature-based solutions into urban adaptation planning, strengthening overall resilience to climate change and informing future climate policy and investment decisions.
Seeking Experts
The CTCN invites qualified experts and firms to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) to participate in this initiative. For further information on this opportunity, visit the UN Global Market Place (UNGM) or the UN website.
If you are not yet a member of the CTCN Network, you can apply to join here.
