Cities have shown that a combination of adaptation measures and energy efficiency can save lives, improve well-being, reduce energy costs, and create conditions for sustainable growth. A new partnership seeks to help mayors and city leaders scale up these efforts through technical and financial assistance. By Michael R Bloomberg and Teresa Ribera

An intense heatwave across India and Pakistan is exposing the growing risks of extreme heat and humidity as climate change drives more frequent and severe weather extremes. By Oluwafemi Adeyeri and Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick

Multilateral development banks have not kept pace with changes to the global financial environment. For middle-income countries like India, accessing knowledge and technology is now a bigger challenge than raising capital, which suggests that these institutions must rethink their operating model. By Tanu M Goyal and Shekhar Aiyar

Trees are one of the most popular responses because they provide shade and reduce the amount of heat absorbed by surrounding surfaces. But outdoor comfort depends on more than air temperature alone. By Mohammad A Rahman