Cities, Climate Change and the Green Economy: A Thematic Literature Survey

This working paper constitutes an extensive review of the literature concerned with exploring the role of cities in addressing climate change and green employment creation. It identifies five key areas for discussion: (1) greening the local economy; (2) shifting local policy roles and trends in urbanization; (3) policy learning and cross-jurisdictional collaboration; (4) the place of civic participation and engagement; and, (5) the co-benefits of a green economy. These areas will be addressed in an effort to critically explore the following questions: What impacts do cities have on climate change? What role are cities currently playing with regards to the development and implementation of climate change and green economic policies? What barriers do cities face with regards to developing and implementing climate change and green economic policies? What potential is there for policy development?