Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • March 2022
  • Background Note
  • HBS Case Collection

Climate Challenges for Cities: Introduction to Issues and Actions in the United States

By: Rosabeth Moss Kanter and Catarina Mia Martinez
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:23
ShareBar

Abstract

This background Note introduces the implications of climate change (global warming) for American cities. In the U.S., partisan political divides and unaddressed economic and racial disparities in climate vulnerabilities can inhibit action. The two main fronts for action are mitigation (reducing emissions) and adaptation (preparing for change by building resilience). The Note reviews main sources of emissions—energy, buildings, transportation, waste—and examples of mitigation actions, showing differential costs and impact. Adaptation actions depend on geographic location and specific climate hazards, with resilience of infrastructure and institutions a major factor. The most risk-prone are often the least prepared. Crises tend to propel action, and foundations have facilitated adaptation capacity, but leadership challenges require cross-sector goal-setting and collaboration.

Keywords

Climate Change; Cities; Emission Reduction; Change; Change Leadership; Electric Power Generation; Transportation; Recycling; Green Business; Green Building; Ecosystem; Construction; Systems Change; Cross-sector Collaboration; Adaptation; Geographic Location; Resource Allocation; Infrastructure; Government and Politics; Social Issues; Urban Development; United States

Citation

Kanter, Rosabeth Moss, and Catarina Mia Martinez. "Climate Challenges for Cities: Introduction to Issues and Actions in the United States." Harvard Business School Background Note 322-103, March 2022.
  • Educators
  • Purchase

About The Author

Rosabeth M. Kanter

General Management
→More Publications

More from the Authors

    • November 11, 2022
    • CNN.com

    Finally Companies Have to Be Upfront about Job Pay Ranges

    By: Rosabeth Moss Kanter
    • October 2022
    • Faculty Research

    Colette Phillips and GetKonnected!: Creating Inclusive Ecosystems

    By: Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Amy Chiu and Joyce Kim
    • June 10, 2022
    • Wall Street Journal (online)

    What Top Executives Can Learn from Junior Employees

    By: Rosabeth Moss Kanter
More from the Authors
  • Finally Companies Have to Be Upfront about Job Pay Ranges By: Rosabeth Moss Kanter
  • Colette Phillips and GetKonnected!: Creating Inclusive Ecosystems By: Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Amy Chiu and Joyce Kim
  • What Top Executives Can Learn from Junior Employees By: Rosabeth Moss Kanter
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College