Cities at the Forefront of the Climate Crisis: The Ethics of Urban Decarbonization and Climate Resilience

Cities around the world are facing numerous climate-related challenges such as rising sea levels, flooding, and extreme heat. These challenges place significant strain on local economies and disproportionately impact the most vulnerable residents. The severity of the situation is further compounded by population growth within cities, with the UN projecting that nearly 70 percent of all people will reside in urban areas by 2050. In order to support safe and sustainable urban environments, city leaders must urgently prioritize decarbonization and climate resiliency policies. However, there are complex ethical questions and tradeoffs that lawmakers must confront when planning for and implementing such policies. This in-depth panel discussion and Q&A looks at how to address urban-specific climate challenges in an ethical manner. What are the latest climate policy innovations for cities? What are some ethical approaches that balance the needs of current residents while ensuring sustainable urban environments for future generations? This event was hosted by Carnegie Council together with the NYC Mayor's Office for International Affairs and the NYC Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice on September 20, 2023, on the margins of Climate Week and the UN General Assembly. For more, please go to carnegiecouncil.org.