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This report analyzes land-use changes between 2015 and 2019 in the most populous cities of the 'Critical 9' countries to assess the impact of urbanization on the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE) and cooling needs. Using Copernicus Land Monitoring Service data and the IPCC's SSP1-1.9 emissions scenario, the analysis details how the expansion of built-up areas at the expense of natural heat sinks—such as forests, wetlands, and vegetation—increases heat risks for vulnerable populations.

The report argues that dedicated land use for bioenergy is unsustainable and unrealistic because it competes directly with food production, animal feed, and carbon storage. It recommends phasing out crop-based biofuels and those requiring dedicated land, suggesting that solar photovoltaics offer a far more land-efficient alternative for energy generation.