Greenovation: Urban Leadership on Climate Change

Cities emit 72% of greenhouse gas emissions, and Joan Fitzgerald argues for greenovation to reduce emissions and connect climate action and social justice. She examines how greenovating cities are reducing emissions and lays out an agenda for fostering and implementing urban innovations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 09 March 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Cities occupy a relatively small land area on Earth, yet they are responsible for emitting a staggering 72 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. This stark reality highlights the urgent need for cities to take center stage in any comprehensive effort to combat climate change. In her book "Greenovation," renowned urban policy scholar Joan Fitzgerald makes a compelling argument that many cities are engaging in random acts of greenness that will have minimal impact on addressing the climate crisis. Instead, Fitzgerald advocates for greenovation, which involves utilizing cities as test beds for adopting and refining green technologies to enhance energy efficiency in buildings, transportation, and infrastructure.

Fitzgerald emphasizes that while many city mayors identify income inequality as a pressing concern, few cities are effectively linking climate action with social justice, another crucial aspect of greenovation. By focusing on the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions in cities, namely buildings, energy, and transportation, Fitzgerald conducts a comprehensive examination of how greenovating cities are reducing emissions overall. She also presents an agenda for fostering and implementing urban innovations that can help reverse the devastating path toward irreversible climate damage.

Drawing on extensive interviews with practitioners in over 20 North American and European cities, Fitzgerald identifies the strategies and policies they are employing and the level of support they receive from state, provincial, and national governments. This unique urban-focused assessment of the economic, political, and social debates underlying the drive to go green provides valuable insights into what is arguably the most challenging policy problem of our time: the growing impact of anthropocentric climate change on modern social life.

In conclusion, cities play a pivotal role in addressing the climate crisis, and greenovation offers a promising approach to achieving sustainable development. By adopting and perfecting green technologies, cities can reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, and promote social justice. However, for greenovation to succeed, it requires a comprehensive and collaborative effort involving city governments, policymakers, businesses, and citizens. Only by working together can we create a more sustainable and resilient future for our cities and the planet.

Weight: 372g
Dimension: 155 x 237 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197651421