Contributions of sustainable planning to climate action plans in Brazil

• Systematization and analysis of CAPs in Brazilian capitals. • Resources, population and participation in networks influence the establishment of CAPs. • Socio-political and environmental contexts interfere in the thematic prioritization of CAPs. • CAPs in Brazil prioritize the mitigation of primary risks. • There is a lack of integration between CAPs and other municipal management instruments. Climate change represents one of the most significant global challenges, exerting profound and multifaceted impacts on natural and human systems. Urban centers, as the primary hubs of human activity, play a critical role in addressing these challenges by identifying vulnerabilities and implementing location-specific adaptive strategies. Climate Action Plans (CAPs) have emerged as essential frameworks for guiding policy and planning responses to climate change, incorporating both mitigation and adaptation measures. This study presents a review analysis of eleven CAPs from Brazilian capital cities, to identify existing knowledge gaps and propose additional strategies aligned with sustainable urban planning principles. A qualitative and quantitative evaluation was conducted on the actions, risks and thematic areas outlined in these instruments, facilitating a structured analysis of the data collected. Key findings indicate a limited number of CAPs implemented, highlighting a deficiency in national climate policy, particularly given the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in Brazil. The research reveals a predominant focus on mitigating primary risks, alongside a disconnect between strategic risk identification and the formulation of targeted impact-reduction measures. By identifying critical strategic gaps, this study contributes to the enhancement of urban climate policies in Brazil.