Our thinking

The big city

31 January, 2025

Two weeks on from Donald Trump’s inauguration as president of the United States, the world is still reeling from his swift unravelling of American climate policy. The anticipated impact of the executive orders he has put into place into has been extensively covered, so we’re focusing on an altogether more positive angle: a reminder that federal governments are not the only ones that matter when it comes to climate action.  

Cities are home to over half of the world’s population and responsible for two-thirds of global emissions. Through climate investments, urban planning, and robust policies, cities play a pivotal role in reducing emissions and boosting climate resilience. What’s more, municipal governments can often do so without being weighed down by national political baggage. 

In a news cycle dominated by US federal action, you might have missed some of the positive climate stories coming out at the municipal level. A global network of mayors, including those in America, confirmed that their cities remain committed to confronting the climate crisis. In an unlikely pairing, Newcastle and Helsinki announced a knowledge-sharing partnership to share learnings on achieving net zero. And London and Glasgow have both announced new circularity measures: in London, a new policy to mandate a ‘retrofit first’ approach for buildings, and in Glasgow, the UK’s first city-wide reusable coffee cup scheme.   

It’s easy to be disheartened by the news these days. But the world would do well to remember that the cities that we call home have plenty of power to effect change too.  

By Louise Podmore