UN report: Cities are 'key implementers' of climate policies

A new guide from authors of the latest UN IPCC report says that without action from cities, "there will be no limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius."

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 11, 2018

The smart city conferences to check out in 2019

Next year has a full slate of industry conferences, featuring conversations with top public and private officials on the pressing issues facing cities.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 10, 2018

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

Study: Low-income neighborhoods disproportionately feel environmental burdens

The index from Data-Driven Yale examined five areas of environmental concern: air quality, climate change, water and sanitation, urban ecosystem and transportation. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 4, 2018

World Bank to invest $200B over 5 years for climate change action

The money is targeted at climate adaptation and resilience, and is more than double its current five-year investment plan established after the 2015 Paris accord.

By Jason Plautz • Dec. 4, 2018

San Francisco mayor to improve housing programs with excess tax revenue

Mayor London Breed wants a portion of the $181 million general fund windfall to bolster affordable housing and homelessness mitigation programs.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 4, 2018

1M EVs in the US ‘a step in our journey’ to combat climate change

Speakers at an event celebrating the milestone also noted electric vehicles could play a large role in the fight against climate change and carbon emissions.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 3, 2018

City Leader of the Year: Sylvester Turner, Houston

Turner was praised for his leadership during Hurricane Harvey, while in subsequent months he has worked to transform the city and move it forward.

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 3, 2018

Report: Vehicle emissions are keeping California from reaching climate goals

The state will have to significantly slash transportation emissions to meet Gov. Jerry Brown’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2045.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 29, 2018

EU adopts plan to become ‘climate neutral’ by 2050

The report presents eight scenarios to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a large focus on the energy and urban mobility sectors.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 29, 2018

EPA loans San Diego $614M for water recycling project

The facility is set to break ground in 2019 and, once completed, will produce 30 million gallons of drinking water per day by treating wastewater.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 29, 2018

Dallas unveils new initiative to curb child poverty

The Child Poverty Action Lab aims to break the generational cycle of child poverty, and reduce it by 50% in 20 years.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 28, 2018

Greater Washington Partnership calls for vast improvements to regional transit

A new report suggests the Baltimore-Richmond, VA-Washington, DC region will suffer greatly without an overhaul of the transportation system.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 27, 2018

How cities are affected by the federal climate report — and how they’re fighting back

Extreme weather threatens to destroy urban areas while transportation systems may buckle, but there is optimism that city leaders will keep moving things forward.

By Chris Teale • Nov. 27, 2018

Federal climate report: US energy, transportation sectors not prepared for warming

Experts say humans have about a decade to prevent the most catastrophic impacts of climate change and the U.S. is behind the necessary pace of emissions reductions.

By Gavin Bade • Nov. 26, 2018

British Columbia to mandate 100% zero emission vehicle sales by 2040

The government is taking action by increasing the ZEV incentive program and expanding the number of EV fast chargers in the province's network.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 26, 2018

REI-backed study identifies top cities for outdoor access

Cities are looking to maximize green space within city limits or increase access to nearby public lands, partly as a sustainability push and also to boost residents’ quality of living. 

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 26, 2018

Florida cities affected by gun violence named winners in Bloomberg art challenge

Coral Springs and Parkland will use art to bring together the communities and promote healing.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 21, 2018

Singapore takes top honors at Smart City Expo World Congress

It beat out six other finalists — Dijon, France; Haifa, Israel; Florence, Italy; London; Melbourne, Australia; and Santiago, Chile — to become the Smart City of 2018.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 19, 2018

UCLA, Los Angeles water utility partner for $5M conservation research effort

The move is part of the UCLA Sustainable LA Grand Challenge, which has a goal of powering Los Angeles County with 100% renewable energy and making it water self-sufficient by 2050.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 15, 2018

Chief resilience officers from 8 cities gather to address racism, inequity

100 Resilient Cities and the City of Boston are hosting a three-day gathering on creating equitable and resilient cities.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 15, 2018

Tiny but mighty: How 3 small cities are using their Mayors Challenge winnings

Georgetown, TX; Huntington, WV and New Rochelle, NY had two main things in common: they're big on ideas and short on resources.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 15, 2018

18 city leaders join NLC Task Force on Housing

The national task force will examine issues including housing availability, affordability, quality and investments.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 14, 2018

Tulsa, OK embraces a transforming workforce — and is offering $10K to prove it

The city is offering remote workers $10,000 in cash, free desk space and a housing stipend in a bid to attract talent.

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 14, 2018

216 mayors signal support for more solar power in updated letter

The Mayors for Solar Energy effort, organized by Environment America, also includes training and resources for local governments to encourage more solar power.

By Jason Plautz • Nov. 13, 2018

NLC to invest $100M in entrepreneurship, innovation economy

Through this investment, more than 50 cities and 200 local partners are collaborating on initiatives to support young businesses, leverage technology and foster STEM education and workforce training. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Nov. 13, 2018