RMI: World is ‘badly off track’ on Paris climate goals, needs heightened focus on energy efficiency

Rocky Mountain Institute has a new report that identifies seven critical areas of the energy sector where strong intervention could help limit global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius.

By Robert Walton • Nov. 20, 2019

NYC, LA, DC and 23 states sue EPA over vehicle emission standards

The states and cities are suing the EPA, which has moved to block California's ability to set its own vehicle efficiency standards.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 19, 2019

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

Meeting Paris goals will require EV innovation: MIT report

The study also found that a future with more accessible AVs could increase congestion and reduce public transit ridership without policy intervention. 

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 19, 2019

It's time to rethink how we move around our cities

"To have any shot at addressing the climate crisis, we need solutions that will curtail transportation pollution and move us toward a carbon-free economy." 

By Andrew Savage • Nov. 19, 2019

Lyft adds 200 EVs to Denver rental program

EV-friendly governmental actions prompted the deployment in the city, which the company said is one of the largest in the country. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 18, 2019

CoMotion LA: Congestion pricing could help equity, climate efforts

Congestion pricing could fund free transit, according to LA Metro CEO Phil Washington, which he said is a "lofty goal," but still a beneficial one to pursue. 

By Chris Teale • Nov. 18, 2019

Denver seeking diverse community leaders for Climate Action Task Force

The group, which will include 20-24 community members, will be tasked with developing an updated climate work plan through an equity lens.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 13, 2019

Goodr CEO: Cities should reclassify food as a utility

The food waste app founder says hunger is a logistics issue, not a scarcity issue. Repurposing excess food diverts waste while helping those in need, "and every city should be happy about that."

By Cailin Crowe • Nov. 13, 2019

DC is eyeing an ambitious zero waste bill

The bill aims to help the city reach "zero waste" by 2032 through new compost requirements and recycling programs for sharps and batteries.

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 12, 2019

5 strategic shifts that are making cities smarter: report

ABI Research identified the many ways cities are becoming more advanced and efficient, ranging from digital twins to smart spaces.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 11, 2019

What will your city's climate feel like in 2080?

At current emissions rates, New York summers are projected to feel nearly 10 degrees warmer. Learn how 10 city climates are projected to feel in 60 years.

By Cailin Crowe • Nov. 11, 2019

T-Mobile pledges free 5G to all first responders if Sprint deal closes

This promise — worth $7.7 billion over 10 years — is not the first that T-Mobile has made to tout the potential benefits of its merger with Sprint.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 11, 2019

Los Angeles creates street tree inventory, kicks off planting season

The inventory will allow the city's Bureau of Street Services to collect better data and identify trends while determining the best practices for tree planting.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 5, 2019

Are climate emergency declarations the new normal?

As cities wrestle with the urgent need to deal with the climate crisis, advocates say the declarations could be "coming to your city as a demand soon."

By Chris Teale • Nov. 4, 2019

Academics urge Jacksonville, FL mayor to craft climate plan

The signatories claim Jacksonville is the only major city in Florida without a climate plan and suggest the city should hire an official to lead the charge.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 4, 2019

What cities can learn from Phoenix's circular economy experiments

Home to a unique waste-to-product incubator, the fast-growing Arizona city has embarked on multiple new ventures in recent years. 

By Cole Rosengren • Nov. 4, 2019

Chicago to create tree canopy inventory following critical audit

The city's Office of Inspector General recommends maintaining the canopy on a grid-based approach, which was used prior to the advent of 311 in 1999. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 1, 2019

Report: Sea level rise to affect 3x more people than anticipated

Most of New Orleans and large portions of New York would be underwater or prone to frequent, severe flooding by 2050.

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 31, 2019

Fear of a green nation

Marijuana legalization is gaining momentum, and local leaders can either capitalize on this movement or get left behind

By Derek Prall • Oct. 29, 2019

LA cooling initiative built for city's hottest, most vulnerable neighborhoods

The program, part of the city's Green New Deal, addresses the effects of climate change in vulnerable neighborhoods with measures like shade structures and cool pavement. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 25, 2019

3 federal agencies launch $1M disaster response and resiliency challenge

The Accelerate R2 Network Challenge has support from the Economic Development Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and FirstNet.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 25, 2019

Chicago mayor increases funding 36% for homeless prevention

The city's Flexible Housing Pool will get a $5 million increase to house more than 200 youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 24, 2019

Air pollution falls by a third inside London's congestion zone

The six-month Ultra Low Emission Zone status report puts the city ahead of schedule to meet its 45% traffic emission reduction goal. 

By Jason Plautz • Oct. 23, 2019

Few cities considering long-term risks of climate change, report says

More than 500 global cities self-report experiencing the effects of climate change, but few have prepared adequate action plans. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Oct. 23, 2019

Hanging with the Lab Rats: NREL researchers lay groundwork to accelerate US clean energy transition

The DOE lab is examining the impacts of "turbulence" on wind turbines as well as how to integrate battery storage systems and hydrogen alongside electric vehicle technologies.

By Gloria Gonzalez • Oct. 23, 2019