Mechanisms driving effective urban climate action

Stockholm Seminar with Klaus Eisenack, professor of resource economics at Humboldt University in Berlin.

National governments often struggle with climate change, but cities are increasingly stepping up, creating hope that they can lead meaningful action. For instance, many cities are setting their own greenhouse gas reduction targets, and networks like the Global Covenant of Mayors now include over 12,000 cities.

Some studies suggest cities may reduce emissions more effectively than national governments. This optimism comes from the large possibilities to reduce emissions in cities, their vulnerability to climate risks, and their power to make important policy decisions, even in countries with weak climate policies.

However, far from all cities are taking strong action, and this presentation identifies key factors that drive or limit urban climate action. This seminar will explore the key factors that drive or limit urban climate initiatives and the conditions necessary for cities to realise their full potential in combating climate change. Understanding what makes urban climate action effective is crucial for achieving real change.

When & Where

Thursday 27 March, 13.00-14.00 CET

The Linné Hall, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Lilla Frescativägen 4A, Stockholm

Or via Zoom

About the speaker

Klaus Eisenack is professor of resource economics at Humboldt University in Berlin, where he is Head of the Resource Economics group. His research focuses on adaptation to climate change, climate governance, and the energy transition, with particular interests in urban climate governance and resolving implementation gaps for environmental policy instruments. Methods of choice are game theory, modelling of institutional arrangements, comparative approaches (in particular archetype analysis) and simulation games.

Eisenack has been professor of Economics at Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, and scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. He has a background in mathematics, economics and philosophy, and holds a PhD in mathematics from the Free University of Berlin.

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