Local leaders to have formal role in COP28 for the first time

"For the world to tackle climate change effectively, mayors and governors need a bigger seat at the table,” said UN special envoy Michael Bloomberg.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 20, 2023

NREL tool models how building upgrades can reduce energy use, carbon emissions

Before the federal research center released its free, publicly available data, options for representing buildings’ energy use were limited and expensive, an NREL researcher said.

By Joe Burns • Sept. 19, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive

From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

Baltimore faces expensive road ahead for waste infrastructure

Despite pressure from advocacy groups, the city's 10-year waste plan anticipates landfill and incineration will continue to serve a key role as the city works to increase recycling.

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 19, 2023

10 stories from the Earth’s hottest summer on record

Cities are testing a myriad of strategies, from “smart surfaces” to chief heat officers, to protect residents and infrastructure from extreme heat.  

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 18, 2023

To improve multifamily housing energy efficiency and resiliency, HUD offers $4.8B for retrofits

The first round of the $4.8 billion GRRP covers upgrades for 28 rent-assisted properties.

By Mary Salmonsen • Sept. 18, 2023

Building codes aren’t climate ready, but changes are coming

Risk is growing from flooding and wildfires, said National Institute of Building Sciences panelists, and builders are relying on outdated guidance.

By Julie Strupp • Sept. 15, 2023

Forest Service unveils 385 urban forestry projects to get over $1B in grants

The Inflation Reduction Act bolstered the program's funding to more than 27 times its 2022 appropriation. Explore which states received the largest investments with our map.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 15, 2023

NYC proposes leeway for building owners falling behind on net-zero emissions compliance

Building owners who demonstrate a “good-faith effort” to rein in emissions could get a two-year reprieve to comply with a climate law that kicks in next year.

By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 13, 2023

Extreme heat disproportionately threatens Black renters, experts say

Black renters disproportionately experience energy insecurity, which stems from an inability to pay energy bills, and federal policy falls short in addressing it, a Brookings Metro report says.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 13, 2023

EPA announces recipients of $105M in grants for recycling infrastructure

The agency awarded the long-awaited grants to 25 communities, including Baltimore and Minneapolis.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 13, 2023

Older homes contributed to Hawai’i fire’s destruction

Buildings constructed under older codes helped last month’s wildfire spread quickly, a new report finds.

By Zachary Phillips • Sept. 11, 2023

California must ban gas in new buildings, local officials tell governor

With a federal appeals court overturning Berkeley, California’s landmark gas ban, the state needs a unified standard to remain a climate policy leader, 26 local leaders told Gov. Gavin Newsom.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 11, 2023

Is 3D-printed concrete the future of infrastructure projects?

A Canadian building giant bets the construction industry will increasingly use the material. But it isn’t covered by many building codes, and technical challenges remain.

By Julie Strupp • Sept. 8, 2023

EPA seeks advisers on ‘critical’ local government issues

The Environmental Protection Agency will pick up to five officials who represent local, state, tribal or territorial governments to serve one-year terms.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 8, 2023

FEMA selects ‘disaster resilience zones’ to get priority access to federal funds

The 483 census tracts span D.C. and all 50 states. More communities will be designated as community disaster resilience zones in the coming months.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 7, 2023

New York City just mandated electric ride-sharing vehicles. Other mayors should take notice.

Ride-sharing vehicles should be the first movers when it comes to cities’ vehicle electrification efforts, argues Revel’s CEO.

By Frank Reig • Sept. 6, 2023

ICC launches climate-resilience program to support community building and energy code changes

The initiative aims to help leaders implement and enforce new rules as buildings’ operational carbon emissions and energy use reach an all-time high.

By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 5, 2023

Cool pavement covers this LA neighborhood. Does it make a difference?

Project partners released their findings a year into what they described as “one of the most comprehensive studies of an urban cooling intervention.” 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 5, 2023

EPA awards climate planning grants to New England cities, states

The Environmental Protection Agency is nearly done awarding such grants to communities nationwide and will soon launch the competitive phase of its climate pollution reduction program.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 1, 2023

Fleet electrification: 5 principles to help state and local governments plan

World Resources Institute researchers spoke with local governments, transit agencies and consultants to uncover the pitfalls of and best practices for shifting to electric vehicles.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 1, 2023

Tech company unveils AI-powered platform to determine ideal EV charging sites

Freewire Technologies’ tool aims to help the businesses and c-store retailers using its chargers determine optimal locations to place them.

By Jessica Loder • Aug. 31, 2023

Heat-related illness: New federal tool reveals highest-risk communities

Officials can use the online dashboard, updated weekly, to prioritize where to focus on outreach, cooling centers, street trees, parks and cool roofs, according to the Transportation Department.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 31, 2023

IIJA just the beginning of infrastructure remediation, civil engineering group president says

ASCE's Maria Lehman says the infusion of federal funding will help address long-neglected upkeep across the country, but states and the private sector must also pitch in.

By Julie Strupp • Aug. 30, 2023

Inflation Reduction Act: Mapping the manufacturing law’s impact 1 year later

With the act spurring more than $86 billion in project investment, here are four takeaways on how it has changed the manufacturing industry and which states are benefiting most.

By Kate Magill , Julia Himmel • Aug. 29, 2023

Seattle’s downtown revitalization push continues with waterfront parks overhaul

The project will be entirely funded with philanthropic donations and is expected to be completed by 2026, when Seattle hosts World Cup matches.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 29, 2023