The pandemic requires innovation to future-proof our industries

In our current sink-or-swim moment, companies can benefit from a proactive approach to innovation, rather than be caught on the back foot in years to come.

By Jeff Schmidt • Oct. 5, 2020

Pittsburgh mayor: To push a green economy, speak to citizens’ pocketbooks

In a Climate Mayors webinar on Thursday, mayors in the Ohio Valley region said people whose jobs rely on fossil fuels must not be left behind.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 2, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Energy Codes and Building Performance Standards

Cities are using these levers to meet climate goals and address everything from data centers to building decarbonization.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

USGBC expands green building resilience resources

The U.S. Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc. released a suite of tools to support green building initiatives amid the costly threats of climate change and the coronavirus. 

By Cailin Crowe • Oct. 2, 2020

Google's EIE tool helps cities realize carbon-reduction potential

The urgency of climate action begs local-level officials to use available data tools and bypass traditional planning constraints, leaders said on a webinar.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 1, 2020

Climate change had its presidential debate moment. What did we learn?

President Donald Trump said humans contribute to changing climate "to an extent," and that "forest management" is a key to addressing California wildfires. Joe Biden vowed no more coal or oil-fired plants built.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 30, 2020

Bay Area mayors push back on remote work strategy

San Francisco Mayor London Breed and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said they “cannot support” the proposal amid concerns about the vitality of downtown economies.

By Chris Teale • Updated Oct. 16, 2020

CityRise forms to tackle NYC's looming 'carmageddon'

The coalition is seeking endorsements from the public to advocate for actionable plans that support bike networks, open streets and dedicated HOV and bus lanes in New York.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 29, 2020

NYC makes outdoor dining, open streets permanent

The city's Open Restaurants program has 10,000 participating eateries and has saved about 100,000 jobs, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio. 

By Julie Littman • Sept. 28, 2020

Partnerships key in addressing aging stormwater infrastructure

Public officials are realizing a viable and proven opportunity to answer water management challenges through community and private partnerships.

By Keisha Brown • Sept. 28, 2020

Resilient Cities Network takes 'holistic' approach to COVID-19 recovery

The group unveiled a new name, leadership and operational focus last week to promote more equitable communities and improve cities' ability to recover from the pandemic. 

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 28, 2020

P3s hold the key to a clean energy future post-COVID

Making climate progress is still within our grasp, but the critical first step is to recognize the perks of collaboration, and then to reach across the aisle. 

By Bill Prindle • Sept. 25, 2020

California mandates all new passenger vehicle sales be zero-emission by 2035

The goal could reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions over 35% from cars statewide, fast tracking California's climate goals as the state grapples with a series of destructive wildfires. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 24, 2020

Houston sets its sights on a more equitable park system

The city is hoping to rewrite its history of "White public space" with greenspace investments in all communities, regardless of income level.

By Adina Solomon • Sept. 24, 2020

Mapping app uses air quality data to show local impacts

Air Quality Aware taps into data from entities including the EPA and U.S. Census Bureau to show current and future air quality and insights on vulnerable populations. 

By Chris Teale • Sept. 23, 2020

House passes massive clean energy bill amid Trump veto threat

The House passed its Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act on Thursday, though the White House earlier this week indicated the president was likely to veto the bill, despite support in the Senate.

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Sept. 25, 2020

12 major cities pledge fossil fuel divestment

The C40 Cities-backed declaration "sends a huge signal to the marketplace" that governments are prioritizing a green COVID-19 recovery, said NYC climate advisor Dan Zarrilli.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 22, 2020

Data-driven insights for proactive governments

Ready to join the smart city movement? See how state and city governments are taking the initiative to make their cities smarter and safer.

Sept. 22, 2020

Topeka, KS extends remote worker relocation program

GO Topeka will dedicate another $300,000 to lure talent to the state capital, after the program's initial year successfully brought in 40 remote workers.

By Cailin Crowe • Updated Feb. 17, 2021

Transition to EVs could save $72B in health costs: American Lung Association

Widespread EV adoption and the resulting emission reductions could prevent more than 6,000 premature deaths in 2050, according to the organization.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 15, 2020

NYC sanitation commissioner steps down for potential mayoral run

​After more than six years at DSNY, Kathryn Garcia is setting her sights on a bigger role that would tap into her long resume of local governing experience.

By Cole Rosengren • Sept. 14, 2020

‘Aggressive’ federal aid would push US to net zero emissions by 2050: report

America's Pledge released its fourth-annual U.S. climate analysis, finding to its "great surprise" that the pandemic is not slowing climate progress.

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 14, 2020

7 investment priorities for a green COVID-19 recovery: report

The Coalition for Urban Transitions analyzed how the allocation of stimulus funding across a number of environmental sectors can aid the international COVID-19 response.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 14, 2020

House to probe clean energy omission in COVID recovery

As the U.S. diverges from other countries in its efforts to marry economic recovery with climate policy, a House subcommittee is planning to hold a hearing on efforts in the EU and elsewhere.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 11, 2020

Transit agencies vow to pursue industrywide COVID response strategy

Over 100 public transit agencies have signed the APTA Health and Safety Commitments Program, aiming to streamline the industry's recovery.  

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 10, 2020

Uber expands EV platform to 1,400 new cities

Uber Green, which connects riders with electric and hybrid vehicle rides, will expand to Houston, Miami, New York, Austin, TX and Washington, DC, among other markets.

By Kristin Musulin • Updated Jan. 13, 2021