Climate Change Policies of City Governments in Federal Systems: An Analysis of Vancouver, Melbourne and New York City

Jones S. Climate change policies of city governments in federal systems: an analysis of Vancouver, Melbourne and New York City, Regional Studies. Canada, Australia and the United States are among the world's heaviest emitters per capita of greenhouse gases. City governments within these countries have been implementing policies to help reduce emissions and control the impacts of climate change. Vancouver, Melbourne and New York City governments have been policy activists in this area for a considerable period. Policy research on climate change argues that effective climate change action in federal systems requires collaboration and coordination between all levels of government. This article outlines a typology that identifies current thinking on the factors that shape the capacity of city governments in federal systems to establish effective climate change policies. Findings suggest a policy gap continues to impede effective policy implementation with city government being severely limited without the support of other levels of government. The conclusions provide a number of refinements to the typology as a result of the experiences of the three city governments.