Boston University Initiative on Cities’ Post

I'm excited to share my latest article, “Intersectional Climate Action: The Role of Community-Based Organizations in Urban Climate Justice”: https://lnkd.in/gMFWBH2D In a world where climate change impacts communities in vastly different ways, it's critical to explore how local, community-based solutions can drive equitable and inclusive climate action in cities. This paper delves into the heart of climate justice and intersectionality, focusing on San Francisco's community-based organizations (CBOs) and their pivotal role in climate action. Through in-depth qualitative analysis, we uncover the transformative potential of CBOs in achieving intersectional climate justice by: 1 - Recognizing and addressing historical and compounded vulnerabilities 2 - Embracing people-centric and place-based planning and action 3 - Building alliances and coalitions for collective, participatory climate governance Check it out and let me know what you think! #ClimateAction #ClimateJustice #CommunityLeadership #SanFrancisco #Intersectionality

On Nov. 15, a new book, Urban Sustainable Development: Governance, Finance & Politics, highlighting the complexities of sustainable development in an urban landscape, will be discussed at the #U20RioSummit. https://ow.ly/RbY150U7vo5 In this book, Amy Campbell & Jeff Schlegelmilch discuss "Policy Implications for Climate Adaptation in the Context of Nonlinear Impacts of Catastrophic Risks." Researchers Andrew Kruczkiewicz, Camila Pontual, Jessica Weinberg, Isabella Pereira, and Walter Baethgen also discuss "Integrating Climate Disaster Risk within an Interdisciplinary Urban Agenda: Lessons Drawn from the Brazilian Experience" in this book. Columbia Climate School CEBRI - Centro Brasileiro de Relações Internacionais

Delighted to see this paper on "Unpacking polycentric climate governance", by Kristine Kern, me, Elisa Kochskämper, Dr. and Wolfgang Haupt, come out online in Global Environmental Politics. It's just the corrected proofs for the time being, but eminently readable and *open access* 🙂. We present three dimensions of governance to conceptualize degrees of polycentricity: governance *of* networks (which relates to their internal decision-making at the network level), governance *by* networks (steering and enforcement at the membership level), and governance *with* networks (openness to collaboration with other actors at the system level). We then trace the evolution of three transnational municipal climate networks (the Climate Alliance, Covenant of Mayors, and 100 Resilient Cities/Resilient Cities Network), which are located at different positions along the polycentric–monocentric spectrum. We examine how these networks have become more or less polycentric over time and highlight trade-offs between different dimensions of polycentric governance. In particular, we stress that more flexible and open (i.e. more polycentric) approaches to governance *of* networks can reduce steering and control capacities and lead to non-compliance (governance *by*), perhaps ultimately calling into question the usefulness of the network. The article forms part of a forthcoming special issue, led by Paul Tobin with support from Dave Huitema and Elke Kellner. Many thanks also to them for their help and hard work in putting it all together! https://lnkd.in/ebbrTVSx

There is an urgent need for integrated, complementary housing and climate policies that tackle the intertwined challenges of environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and the deepening housing affordability crisis. The Terner Center for Housing Innovation used Replica data in its new report looking at the existing research on climate and housing in the U.S in two key areas: how housing decarbonization and production strategies can reduce pollution to mitigate climate change, and how climate change impacts renters, homeowners, and the broader housing industry. The paper also identifies key research gaps where more evidence would help policymakers navigate the tensions between different policy approaches. Read the paper to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eYsA8N9n

Want to know more about the Department's new MSt in Climate, Environmental and Urban Policy? Read a Q&A with the Course Director, Professor Jorge Viñuales, explaining what students can expect from the course: https://lnkd.in/e6pPAsmm #LandEc #LandEconomy #ClimatePolicy #EnvironmentalPolicy #UrbanPolicy

How to make your research inform two different and often siloed areas of policy? Dr Bethany Jackson from Rights Lab, University of Nottingham, in a blog for Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN), draws on her experience from the (Modern Slavery PEC-funded) research project on addressing modern slavery and climate change risks. 1️⃣ Engage with non-elite policy actors - talk to experts within departments and not only senior policymakers 2️⃣ Make useful recommendations - tailored and allocated to specific governance actors and departments (sounds obvious but doesn't always happen) 3️⃣ Timing or recommendations - talk to policymakers early to check they make sense for them 4️⃣ The future of policy impact - engagement with policymakers itself can open doors to new ideas – particularly in an intersectional policy area.  Read the whole blog: https://lnkd.in/gDHXmJaR

Interested in the United Nations sustainable development goals in the context of sustainable cities and communities? And what is needed to inform the up-coming IPCC report on cities and climate change? I recently presented on the Research Agenda for Sustainable Cities and Communities which reviews and critiques existing research on sustainable cities and communities, offering reframed ideas on sustainability. Four key messages flow from this Research Agenda, including: • First, engage non-Western approaches and research that reflect the global urban challenge. • Second, develop approaches that embed grassroots engagement and deeper collaboration in urban governance. • Third, place justice front and centre when advancing urban transformations. • Fourth, adopt perspectives that are better suited to the tenets of sustainability than anthropocentrism or market approaches. Download the overview chapter (for free): https://lnkd.in/dE6HAMMX Get a copy of the Research Agenda: https://lnkd.in/d7Rzey-7 Niki Frantzeskaki James Evans Yuliya Voytenko Palgan SLU - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE) - Lund University The University of Manchester Utrecht University

Australia’s landscapes are at a critical turning point, but the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists has a vision for renewal. Partnering with experts across sectors, they’ve developed a bold blueprint with 24 practical actions to restore degraded landscapes, enhance resilience to climate change, and boost economic productivity. As Professor Jamie Pittock, PhD from The Australian National University explains, this multi-billion dollar plan not only targets key environmental assets but also identifies public and private investment opportunities. It’s a roadmap for the future—one where nature and economy thrive together. Click on the link in comments to watch the interview. #ConversationsShapingOurFuture #ClimateAction #Sustainability #EnvironmentalInnovation #Resilience

ARETE Institute for Sustainable Prosperity is pleased to announce the Climate Justice Call, in collaboration with the SHiFT COST Action. As we face the significant challenge of climate change, we invite masters, doctoral students, faculty members, and researchers to share their ideas and solutions on climate justice. This initiative provides an opportunity to co-edit a multimedia catalogue, presenting diverse perspectives on climate justice through essays, reports, and multimedia elements like videos, animations, and sound pieces accessible via QR codes. Key Dates: Launch & Call for Participation: March 2024 Submission Deadline: April 2024 Winners Announcement: July 2024 Publication Date: September 15th, 2024 Submissions are welcomed on topics such as the socio-economic impacts of climate change, legal and policy frameworks for climate action, technological innovations, and grassroots movements for resilience. Participant Benefits: Selected participants will have a chance to contribute to global discussions on climate justice and receive a €250 grant to support the production of their work for this multimedia publication. This effort is part of building the SDG UniNet network, a collaborative platform of universities aiming to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals through shared knowledge and initiatives. Join Our Effort for a Sustainable Future Your contribution is valuable to us. Take this opportunity to make an impact and join a community committed to making a difference in the world. Further information is available in the detailed call document here: https://lnkd.in/dQG4tyRb For any further information, please contact ana@aretenet.org Let's work together for sustainable change. #ClimateJusticeCall #SustainableDevelopment #ARETEProsperity #SHiFTCOSTAction

🌱 Thank you to everyone who attended our Green Shoots webinar this week! It was great to discuss different perspectives on the value of nature, and to hear from Angus Smith from Wageningen University & Research about his work developing a psychometric scale to operationalise the Nature Futures Framework in quantitative survey research. Couldn’t make it or want to revisit the discussion? The webinar recording is now available on our YouTube channel. 🔗 Catch it here: https://bit.ly/3ZbfHrL Follow us for updates on more upcoming webinars, articles and insights on climate-smart rewilding! #Rewilding #NatureBasedSolutions #HorizonEurope #Research #Sustainability #EcologicalRestoration #RestorationLaw #EU #ClimateSmart