A comprehensive review of the 100 largest cities in the United States shows which mayors have followed up on pledges to cut carbon emissions.

In recent years, more than ever, municipalities and state governments have pledged to take action against climate change and reduce greenhouse emissions in their jurisdictions.
"Since 1991, over 600 local governments in the United States have developed climate action plans that include greenhouse gas inventories and reduction targets, reflecting growing public concern about the consequences of a warmer planet. Recently, this local action has been accelerating. But despite numerous studies, we still don’t know if all this effort is working," writes Mark Muro.
Brookings Institution researchers explored local actions to reduce emissions and which of the nation's 100 largest cities are walking the walk when it comes to addressing climate change.
"About two-thirds of cities with climate pledges are currently lagging in their targeted emissions cuts, while 13 others don’t appear to have available emissions tracking in place," Muro reports.
Even partial adherence to climate pledges has eliminated about 365 million metric tons of carbon pollution according to Muro. Still, it's unrealistic to believe that meeting long-term goals related to climate change will be achieved without a robust and diligent review and assessment on a national scale.
If the United States reenters the Paris Climate Agreement, the burden still rests with individual cities. "[D]iplomacy won’t matter much if the rest of the world doesn’t believe our promises will stick and doesn’t see climate action in areas that have resisted thus far. The solution to this problem isn’t more diplomacy, but more mayors making (and delivering on) compelling emission reductions pledges," as Muro puts it.
FULL STORY: Cities are pledging to confront climate change, but are their actions working?

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie