Marseille

France

Mission city Pilot city
France National Platform
Marseille Mission City Label
Population 886k
City Area 180 km²
City active since June 2022

Marseille, and the Aix-Marseille Provence Metropolis in general, has strong physical characteristics which make it highly sensitive to climate change. The Mediterranean regions are experiencing a 25% higher rate of global warming than the terrestrial average, the same also applies to the Alpine regions.

Marseille is thus doubly exposed:  

  • within its own region, with increased exposure to the consequences of climate change, involving physical risks (forest fires, torrential rains, etc.) and potential health consequences for its population (exposure to heat waves and ozone pollution during the hotter and windless periods of the year, which are often very hot).  
  • the increased consequences of global warming in the southern Alps, reducing snow cover in winter and accelerating the melting and disappearance of glaciers in summer, are putting the city's water supply at risk, both for domestic supply and for that of its industrial and agricultural sectors.

 

The region benefits from an attractive Mediterranean climate, although it can occasionally be subjected to more violent climate episodes. These climatic characteristics have a strong influence on the region: specific fauna and flora, major risks, renewable energy potential, impacts on air quality, etc. The Mediterranean climate is characterised by very dry summers and rains that can occasionally be very heavy in the spring and during the months of September and October. Cap Croisette, on the southern coast of Marseille, is the driest place in France with an annual rainfall of around 360 mm. In autumn and spring, severe thunderstorms can occur and cause major flooding in the river valleys and urban areas. Temperatures are high in summer and remain mild in winter. These specific climatic features contribute strongly to the overall attractiveness of the metropolis.

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Pilot project spotlight
Visit Marseille City Website Read Marseille Climate City Contract

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City involvement in related European initiatives