Cities 1.5

University of Toronto Press

Cities 1.5 is a podcast featuring progressive policy conversations with urban leaders taking action to limit global heating to 1.5 degrees. Hosted by David Miller and developed by University of Toronto Press, this podcast serves as a platform to discuss the most pressing policy and underlying economic issues facing cities in their effort to lead on transformational climate action. The podcast is an extension of the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy (https://jccpe.utpjournals.press), which publishes timely, evidence-based research that contributes to the urban climate agenda and supports governmental policy towards an equitable and resilient world. Join Editor-in-Chief and host David Miller as he speaks with mayors, city policymakers, economists, youth leaders, and scholars, among others, who are implementing and fighting for ambitious, near-term climate action.

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20 episodes
Updated July 23

Episodes20

Newest first

July 23 · 23 min
HOT TAKE: Can Cities Clean Up the Cloud?
As the AI boom drives an unprecedented rush for computing power, cities face a critical question: how do we support digital expansion, without derailing net-zero climate goals? Left unregulated, data centers can consume staggering amounts of energy and water, threaten to destabilise power grids, strain local resources, and alienate communities. But it doesn’t have to be like this: city leaders are stepping up to demand both climate-friendly solutions and accountability for big tech. In this Hot Take, we explore how local leaders are moving to prevent a digital “wild west” through international collaboration. We examine the launch of the Global Urban Data Centers Pact - a landmark commitment from 41 mayors across six continents, representing 90 million people - which aims to enforce clean energy mandates, water stewardship, and tangible community benefits for future data center development. Featured guests: Hannah Daly, Professor of Sustainable Energy at University College Cork Kate Gallego, Mayor of Phoenix, United States of America Nick Reece, Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Australia Links: The Cloud vs the Climate? Lessons from Ireland on the data centre debate - Cities 1.5 podcast Wyoming tightens wastewater rules after Meta datacenter contractor flushed contaminated water - The Guardian Mayors from around the world unite in call for sustainable urban data centres - C40 website Urban Data Centres - C40 website Data centers and the climate landscape: An actionable resource for US mayors - C40 Knowledge Hub Thirsty for power and water, AI-crunching data centers sprout across the West - Stanford University Stockholm, Sweden : Heat recovery from data centres - EU Covenant of Mayors Inside the C40 World Mayors Summit: The battle for cities, truth, and a fossil-free future at COP30 and beyond - Cities 1.5, featuring Lord Mayor Nick Reece on data centres Seizing the opportunity to do data centres right - Climate Council Australian government announces plan for new AI and data centre regulations - Architecture AU If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
May 19 · 36 min
The Shipping Forecast: Climate Edition
The winds of change are blowing through the world’s maritime hubs…despite some national governments’ efforts to the contrary. While the shipping industry carries 90% of global trade, it also leaves a heavy carbon trail in its wake. In this episode of Cities 1.5, we explore the high-stakes transformation of our global ports: once seen as industrial hotspots of pollution, these urban harbours are emerging as the front lines of the green transition. We dive into the groundbreaking "Green Shipping Corridors" that are linking sustainable cities, and the bold shift toward zero-emission fuels. From local air quality to global supply chains, discover how cities are turning the tide on emissions and steering the industry toward a 1.5°C future. It’s time to rethink the horizon: clearer skies and smoother sailing ahead. Featured guests: Eric Garcetti, C40 Ambassador for Global Climate Diplomacy and former Mayor of Los Angeles Alisa Kreynes, Director of Ports and Shipping at C40 Featured clips: The Shipping Forecast - BBC Radio 4 Global shipping emissions vote on a knife edge at IMO - BBC Business Today Links: Greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution from global shipping, 2016–2023 - The International Council on Clean Transportation A guide to the IMO’s Net-Zero Framework - Global Maritime Forum Landmark deal to cut global shipping emissions in tatters after US pressure - BBC News Ports and Shipping - C40 Knowledge Hub Green shipping corridors programme - C40 Cities website From Los Angeles to Shanghai, the port cities collaborating to cut shipping emissions - Reuters Green Ports Forum - C40 Cities website Why should we talk about a 'just and equitable' transition for shipping? - UN Trade and Development Rescuing shipping's Net Zero Framework - Climate Analytics Cities take the global stage to showcase climate action at the IMO for the first time - C40 Cities website If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
May 5 · 32 min
Creating ecosystems of climate truth: How can cities defend information integrity?
From fossil fuel lobbying to coordinated political disinformation campaigns, vested interests have built a profitable disinformation infrastructure designed to spread confusion, polarize debate, and exhaust the public. The good news is that the world is waking up. For the first time in the history of the COP, a Declaration on Information Integrity was agreed upon, with governments committing to address climate disinformation and promote accurate, evidence-based information globally. But we need to go further upstream - instead of simply fighting falsehoods, we need to build ecosystems where truth can take root and flourish. In this episode, we look to Brazil and speak to an individual who was integral in bringing information integrity both to COP and the international agenda. She makes the case for cities as one of the most powerful forces in reclaiming the narrative, building the infrastructure of truth from the ground up - one community at a time. Featured guest: Thais Lazzeri, Investigative Journalist and Founder of FALA Links: Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change - UNESCO Integrity Information Observatory - Oii Mentiro Tem Preco (Lies Have a Price) Climate Information Integrity 5 Million Acts for Truth - FALA Tomorrow is today - YouTube (Portuguese) 500 Grams of Life - Thais Lazzeri (Portuguese) ‘Democracy on the line’: Brazil’s election and the Bolsonaro disinformation ecosystem - Columbia Journalism Review Environmental and Climatic Disinformation in Northern Brazil: Dynamics and Impact in the Context of COP-30 - Heinrich Boll Stiftung Environmental journalism and the struggle against disinformation in Brazil - Frontiers in Communication If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
April 21 · 32 min
The Cloud vs the Climate? Lessons from Ireland on the data centre debate
As our lives become increasingly digital, the infrastructure powering them is sparking a global debate: we need data centres, but at what cost to the climate and our access to energy? These massive facilities are the backbone of everything from streaming to AI, yet they consume staggering amounts of electricity and water, often straining local grids and and in some cases, threatening to derail decarbonisation efforts. In this episode of Cities 1.5, we explore how Ireland became the "canary in the coalmine" for this issue. With data centres projected to consume nearly 30% of the nation’s electricity by 2030, the Irish experience serves as a critical warning – and a roadmap – for cities worldwide. We examine the tension between economic ambition and climate mandates, questioning how urban leaders can manage the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure without derailing net-zero goals. Join us as we dive into the lessons learned from the frontlines of the data centre boom and what they mean for the future of sustainable cities. Featured guest: Professor Hannah Daly, Professor of Sustainable Energy at University College Cork Links: Ireland’s data centre boom is driving up fossil fuel dependence - The Irish Times, by Professor Hannah Daly Data Centres Metered Electricity Consumption 2024 - Central Statistics Office Energy for who? Data centres and the grid - Friends of the Earth Ireland How Big Tech wrote secrecy into EU law to hide environmental toll - The Journal Investigates What Ireland’s Data Center Crisis Means for the EU’s AI Sovereignty Plans - AlgorithmWatch Ireland’s data centre policy reset: The end of the blanket moratorium - KPMG Ireland Google’s Dublin data centre blocked amid energy usage concerns - Tech Monitor Data Centres Ireland – Energy, Growth and the Grid Debate - Enable Research If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
April 16 · 19 min
HOT TAKE: One day, millions of journeys: Celebrating World Public Transport Day!
Ready for a ride? In this episode, we’re celebrating the inaugural World Public Transport Day, created by the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), along with its global partners, and we explore why public transport is the beating heart of our cities. From the "rolling focus groups" on Melbourne’s iconic trams to the colorful jeepneys of the Philippines, we share personal stories of connection from urban centres across the globe. But it’s not just about the journey: we dive into the hard policy making it happen. Discover how Mexico City’s Metro uses unique icons to bridge literacy gaps, how Salvador is empowering women through "Women behind the Wheel," and how Amman’s new electric fleet is clearing the air. Hop on for a celebration of the journeys that move us all! Special thanks to Mariana Batista, C40 Senior Manager for Public Transport, for her assistance in providing both translation and production support for this episode. Featured guests: Nobuntu Ciko Duze, Deputy Director of Transport Systems Management, Johannesburg Nick Reece, Lord Mayor of Melbourne Jim Duran Mayerstein, Senior Manager, Zero-Emission Bus Rapid Deployment Accelerator (ZEBRA) at C40 Sonto Ziqubu, C40 Executive Office Coordinator Adriana de Jesus Ferreira, Bus Driver and Mulheres no Volante beneficiary Yousef Al Shawarbeh, Mayor of Amman Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities Links: The Transit City that could’ve been - The Ethnic Aisle Zero emission transport - C40 Cities Transport Sector Analysis - International Energy Agency Completing the Trip - World Resources Institute I got inked by the world’s oldest tattoo artist - CNN Style Mexico City’s Metro Icons - Mexican Routes Infographic: Joburg by taxi - Brand South Africa Women Behind the Wheel project - Salvador City Hall If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
April 7 · 31 min
The Hidden Infrastructure of Urban Resilience
Cities aren’t just structures. They’re people. In the rapidly urbanising cities of the global majority, many of those people are migrant workers. They often work informally, with limited protection when shocks hit. At the same time, they are vital to propping up and rebuilding cities after climate disasters. In this week’s Cities 1.5 podcast episode, host David Miller speaks to Ritwika Basu, an environmental social scientist and urbanist who researches this invisible labour in small and medium-sized cities in India. Featured guests: Ritwika Basu, Environmental Social Scientist and Urbanist, and one of the guest editors of the Journal City Climate Policy and Economy’s soon to be released Special Issue on Adaptation and Resilience in Cities of the Majority World: Advancing Equity and Justice in Practice, and Author of “Hidden Infrastructure of Urban Resilience: Labor, Precarity, and Economic Adaptation in India” which will be released to open access on April 15, 2026. Links: Resilient Cities (and how to build them) - Cities 1.5 Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy Resources on Urban Climate Resilience - C40 Knowledge Hub Good Green Jobs and Labour Migration: Opportunities for Urban Leaders - C40 Knowledge Hub If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
March 24 · 32 min
A Tale of Two Cities: A New Chapter
In this episode of Cities 1.5, we bring you another "Tale of Two Cities" - but this time, David sits down with two pioneering mayors from opposite ends of the globe. Despite their vastly different histories, both Athens are Melbourne are inspiring and leading the way through the climate crisis, and mitigating its impacts.We explore Athens is embracing progressive economics and tackling energy poverty, and how Melbourne is transforming and greening urban spaces and trailblazing renewable energy schemes and much more.These urban leaders are protecting city residents from climate impacts, engaging the next generation, and proving that local innovation and leadership is the best way to navigate the climate crisis. Featured guests: Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens Nick Reece, Lord Mayor of Melbourne Links: Inside the World Mayors Summit: Cities throw down the gauntlet - Cities 1.5 Inside the World Mayors Summit: The battle for cities, truth and a fossil fuel free future at COP30 and beyond - Cities 1.5 Athens mayor focuses on getting capital through extreme heat - The Guardian A blueprint for European cities? Athens announces new initiative to tackle energy poverty - Net Zero Cities Doughnut Economics Action Lab 4th Youth Assembly on Climate Change with the participation of University Students - Eliamep Nick Reece reveals plan to make Melbourne the “Garden City” - Southbank Local News Melbourne Renewable Energy Project Disinformation and the City - Melbourne Centre for Cities What should Melbourne be like in 2050? - Docklands News M2050 Summit Report If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
March 10 · 26 min
Lead like a girl - In conversation with Catherine McKenna
What links the Paris Agreement, Barbie and Arnold Schwarzenegger? The answer is this week’s guest on Cities 1.5! As a key architect of the Paris Agreement, Catherine McKenna - Canada’s former Minister for Climate Change and the Environment - reflects on why cities are now the true engines of delivery. There’s also a powerful exploration of Catherine’s new memoir, Run Like a Girl, and a firsthand account of why we cannot solve the climate crisis while leaving half the world’s population out of the corridors of power. It’s time to lead like a girl. Featured guest: Hon. Catherine McKenna, Chair of the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Expert Group on Net-Zero Commitments of Non-State Entities and host of Women Leading on Climate podcast Audio clips: Environment minister tells Rebel Media reporter to stop calling her 'Climate Barbie' - CBC News Links: What justice for women in Afghanistan? - Swiss Info Inside the C40 World Mayors Summit - Cities 1.5 It’s Grand Ol’ Bargain, Alright - Hot Takes Canada’s former climate minister on making a change, ‘aloof’ Trudeau and sexism - The Guardian Integrity Matters: Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities - United Nations website Paris climate deal - The Guardian Breaking the Tragedy of the Horizon - Mark Carney speech Meet the young climate activists behind Mathur et. al. v. His Majesty - Ecojustice Why would anyone hate Catherine McKenna? - Maclean’s If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
February 24 · 27 min
Whose Streets? Our Streets: Curbing Fossil Fuel Industry Disinformation
In a world where climate emergencies are being declared daily, why do so many of our city streets and public transport networks have misleading ads for the very industries driving the crisis? Our conversation with two C40 experts reveals how the fossil fuel industry mirrors old tobacco industry tactics using sophisticated techniques to "greenwash" their image and frame essential health protections as attacks on free speech. Tune in to learn how cities reclaiming the narratives in our transit systems and urban squares is a vital step toward fending off industry attacks and securing a safer, more sustainable future for all. Featured guests: Mariana Batista, C40 Senior Manager, Public Transport Charlie Worthington, C40 Project Officer, High Carbon Advertising Bans Links: The War Against Tobacco: 50 Years and Counting - National Library of Medicine How the Fossil Fuel Industry Polluted the Information Landscape - Center for Climate Change Communication Air pollution from fossil fuels kills 5 million people a year - The Guardian In The Hague, ban on Big Oil ads survives legal challenge - Courthouse News Profitable Growth Without Fossil Fuels - Clean Creatives Frequently Asked Questions - A World Without Fossil Fuel Ads Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change - UNESCO Cities Climate Transition Framework - C40 Knowledge Hub Clearing the way: A toolkit for positive, fossil-free city advertising - C40 Knowledge Hub How cities can restrict carbon-intensive advertising - C40 Knowledge Hub If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
February 19 · 18 min
HOT TAKE: The Kids are alright - Youth take the Mic in Rio
Hot Take: the climate crisis isn’t some abstract data point or a dry policy debate, it’s a deeply human story of survival. Right now, a whole generation is growing up inside the emergency, doing the heavy lifting to fix a mess they didn't create. We’re bringing you the raw, human heartbeat of the movement and amplifying the voices that stole the show at the World Mayor’s Summit in Rio. The C40 Youth Hub members dive into what real intergenerational collaboration looks like when those with the biggest stake in the future are finally the ones leading the change. Youth Moment featured leaders: Juliet Oluoch, Research fellow, Ufanisi Research Network Anjali Raman-Middleton, Co-founder and Director, Choked Up Esther Kamara, Founder of Youth Initiative For Climate Action Sierra Leone Foday Kamara, National Coordinator, Youth Climate Council Global Alliance Letícia Mathias, Co-founder and Executive Director, Instituto SustentAção Micheala Chan, Young Water Utilities Expert for the Pacific, Asian Development Bank Featured interview guest: Earl Aldrin Burgos. C40 Youth Engagement and Campaigns Manager Links: World Mayors Summit special - Cities 1.5 US cities as climate first responders - Cities 1.5 C40 Youth Moment - YouTube Youth Hub - C40 Youth Engagement Playbook for Cities - C40 Loss and Damage: Challenges and Opportunities for City Leadership If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
February 10 · 31 min
Tales from the Belly of the Beast: An ExxonMobil Whistleblower’s Story
What would you risk to tell the truth, if the institution you served was one of the most powerful corporations on Earth? Early scientific warnings about global heating have long stood in tension with corporate narratives shaping public understanding. This episode examines the enduring disinformation created and disseminated by the fossil fuel industry: how it evolves, why it persists, and what it means for the pace of climate action. Through the perspective of a former insider at ExxonMobil, we explore the widening gap between the disinformation narratives pumped out by fossil fuel companies and the personal consequences of challenging one of the most powerful corporations in modern history. Featured guest: Lindsey Gulden, Principal Data Scientist at Leg Up Data and former employee at ExxonMobil Audio sources: Oil giant ExxonMobil predicted climate change in 1970s - BBC News Exxon CEO and Chairman of the American Petroleum Institute Lee Raymond speech (1996) - CPAN WSJ: SEC probes Exxon after whistleblower complaint - CNBC Links: New study in 'Science' puts a number on what Exxon knew decades ago about climate change - Potsdam Institute How a Newton woman became an enemy of ExxonMobil - The Boston Globe Tracing Big Oil’s PR war to delay action on climate change - The Harvard Gazette Carbon Capture and Storage: The Billion Dollar Scam - Environmental Defence Trump says he might keep Exxon out of Venezuela - Reuters Countering Climate Disinformation - C40 Cities Disinformation episodes - Cities 1.5 If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
January 27 · 30 min
Mayoral Deep Dive: US cities as climate first responders
Across the United States, cities are acting as climate first responders - carrying climate action forward even as national politics grow more hostile. From clean energy and buildings to transport, land use and resilience to extreme weather events, mayors are proving that climate leadership does not depend on federal permission. It grows from proximity: to people, to impacts, and to the places leaders are entrusted to protect. Cities are stepping in to safeguard neighbourhoods, rivers, urban ecosystems and public health, often while the federal government undermines climate policy or attacks local authority. Featured guests: Keith Wilson, Mayor of Portland, Oregon, USA Kirk Watson, Mayor of Austin, Texas, USA Juliet Oluoch, Research fellow at Ustawi Analytica and youth climate activist from Nairobi, Kenya Links: Solved: How the World’s Great Cities Are Fixing the Climate Crisis by David Miller The Fate of the Inflation Reduction Act in the Second Era of Trump - Cities 1.5 Trump signs order to withdraw US from Paris climate agreement for second time - The Guardian ‘Poet, writer, wife, mom’: who was Renee Nicole Good, the woman killed by an ICE agent? - The Guardian Mayor Keith Wilson Announces Portland Has Reached more than 1,500 Emergency Overnight Beds, Delivered at Unprecedented Speed - Portland.gov Costumed protesters in Portland defy description of the city as a 'war zone' - NBC News Austin Climate Equity Plan $3,000 grants offered to groups addressing climate change and food access challenges - Austin Monitor More links for this episode available at jccpe.utpjournals.press and c40.org. If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
January 13 · 31 min
Economics and the City
In times of profound geopolitical turbulence - wars, trade shocks, energy insecurity, and climate breakdown - something unexpected is happening: while autocratic leaders double down on fossil fuels and climate denial, cities are stepping into the breach to create a different story. One of hope, resilience, and innovation. Like wildflowers pushing through concrete, cities around the world are experimenting with new economic models that challenge the old orthodoxy of endless growth. They're turning away from Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the sole measure of success and asking different questions: Are people housed? Are they thriving? Are we staying within planetary limits? Featured guests: Kate Raworth, Co-founder of the Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL) Leonora Grcheva, Cities and Regions Lead at DEAL Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan, Italy Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, Executive Mayor of Tshwane, South Africa Carola Schouten, Mayor of Rotterdam, Netherlands Links: Doughnut Economics in Local Governments: An Overview of Emerging Practice by Leonora Grcheva and Michele Vianello Special Issue on Sustainable Prosperity in the 21st-Century City - the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy Trump fossil-fuel push setting back green progress decades, critics warn - The Guardian Resources for a better future: GDP - Resilience.org Milan's Food Waste Hubs Network Compilation of the Integrated Waste Management Plan for the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality CCU Challenge: Unlock the City’s Ambition of Becoming Fully Circular by 2050 If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
Dec 30, 2025 · 2 min
TRAILER: Cities Won't Wait
As geopolitical power shifts, cities are rising to lead this urban century while nations cling to outdated systems. Season 6 of Cities 1.5 explores how mayors and urban leaders from around the world are turning uncertainty into opportunity, building regenerative futures with hope-filled narratives that counter disinformation and inspire action. Join us from January 13, 2026, as we explore the urban transformation the world cannot wait for, ranging from tackling disinformation, decarbonising infrastructure, and confronting the growing alliance between political authoritarianism and the fossil fuel industry. Through intimate conversations with global mayors and urban innovators, we reveal how cities are not just adapting to change…but are actively shaping our future. Because the future isn't waiting, and neither are cities. Links: Zohran Mamdani’s full victory speech, 4 November 2025 - Zohran Mamdani for NYC YouTube channel If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
Dec 16, 2025 · 1 min
TEASER: Season 6 of Cities 1.5 is coming soon!
In the face of the accelerating climate crisis, rising authoritarianism, and geopolitical shifts, national governments are faltering…but cities are stepping into the void and taking the lead. Season 6 of Cities 1.5 will delve into how municipal-level actions and powerful coalitions are creating a carbon-free future, promoting resilience, and enabling a new economic system based on wellbeing over profit. We’ll explore how cities are countering disinformation, fear, and inertia by spearheading significant local climate initiatives and forming new alliances, daring national governments to follow in their footsteps. Because the future won’t wait - so we need to decide now who will lead, and whether we want to move towards disaster … or resilience. If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
Dec 11, 2025 · 9 min
HOT TAKE: It’s Grand Ol’ Bargain, Alright (for Canada’s fossil-fuel companies)
Welcome to Cities 1.5 Hot Takes: Dispatches from the Frontlines of the Climate Crisis. Hot Takes brings you fast, focused coverage on breaking news and underserved stories at the intersection of climate, economics and public health - all through an urban lens. This first-ever edition of Hot Takes is about a major move in Canada’s energy future…and what it means for climate, cities, and the promises made to hold fossil fuel giants accountable. As Canadian cities race toward net zero, their efforts are being fundamentally threatened by a high stakes federal agreement known as "The Grand Bargain": a political compromise on behalf of the Mark Carney government to build a new pipeline that would transport diluted bitumen from the Alberta oil sands westward across the rocky mountains to the British Columbia coast. Touted as a bridge to a clean energy future, we go behind the spin to explore the real facts behind this project - and lay bare the reasons many are opposed to this doubling down on promises made by the fossil fuel industry…promises that historically haven’t been worth the paper they’re written on. Featured guests: Hon. Catherine McKenna, Chair of the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Expert Group on Net-Zero Commitments of Non-State Entities, and former Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change Links: World Mayors Summit two-part special - Cities 1.5 podcast 83 Countries Join Call to End Fossil Fuels at COP30 - Earth.org Why Mark Carney’s pipeline deal with Alberta puts the Canadian federation in jeopardy - The Conversation A Not-so-Grand Bargain - Pembina Institute Canada may approve a new oil pipeline. First Nations fear another ‘worst-case scenario’ - The Guardian Watch David’s full CPAC interview Canada OKs ‘Massive’ $20 Billion Loan for Trans-Mountain Pipeline - DeSmog If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
Dec 2, 2025 · 59 min
Inside the C40 World Mayors Summit: The battle for cities, truth, and a fossil-free future at COP30 and beyond
In the first episode of our two-part World Mayors Summit special, we heard from mayors around the world about the power of convenings like the Summit to unite city leaders and spark collaboration. In this second episode, we explore what that collaboration looks like in practice, from new approaches to urban planning and the challenge of energy-hungry data centres, to fossil-free trucks and greener and cleaner shipping routes. We also explore the outcomes for cities that came out of COP30 with voices from people who were on the ground in Belém…and also from a Brazilian climate leader who had a front-row seat before, during, and after what many have been calling the most important COP since the Paris Agreement. Photo credit: © C40 Cities Special thanks to Pauline Eloi, Director of the Executive C40 Office and Yasmin Calandrini, Manager, CHAMP National Engagement, for their on-the-ground support in Rio for the production of this episode. Featured guests: Kirk Watson, Mayor of Austin, USA Carola Schouten, Mayor of Rotterdam, Netherlands Nick Reece, Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Australia Christiana Figueres, Founding Partner of Global Optimism and Co-presenter of Outrage + Optimism Ilan Cuperstein, C40 Regional Director for Latin America and Head of International Relations for the City of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities Lars Weiss, Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Denmark Eduardo Pimentel, Mayor of Curitiba, Brazil Eirik Lae Solberg, Governing Mayor of Oslo, Norway Dr. Nasiphi Moya, Mayor of Tshwane, South Africa Links: Outrage + Optimism - Inside COP Learn about the many versions of COP30's "Global Mutirão" Winners: Clean, Reliable Transportation (Oslo Fossil Free Trucks) Tshwane C40 Cities regional sustainability masterclass The Environmental Cost of Data Centers COP30 Local Leaders Forum Statement 83 Countries Join Call to End Fossil Fuels at COP30 If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
Nov 18, 2025 · 50 min
Inside the C40 World Mayors Summit: Cities throw down the gauntlet
In this first instalment of our two-part special from the C40 World Mayors Summit, Cities 1.5 takes you inside the flagship gathering of the world’s most ambitious urban climate leaders. We hear directly from mayors as they unveil this year’s Offer of Action – a unified commitment that raises the stakes for urban climate leadership and pointedly challenges national governments to match their ambition with action of their own, all on the eve of COP30. We also speak with leading climate experts and C40 partners to explore why cities remain the most effective engines for rapid, equitable decarbonization, and what they must do next to keep the goal of limiting global heating to 1.5°C alive. And crucially, funders share why they’ve chosen to invest in C40’s global network, highlighting the proven impact of coordinated city action and the urgency of scaling it. Photo credit: ©Bernardo Jardim Photography Featured: Sir Sadiq Khan, C40 Co-Chair and Mayor of London Nick Reece, Lord Mayor of Melbourne Giuseppe “Beppe” Sala, Mayor of Milan Yousef Al-Shawarbeh, Mayor of Amman Keith Wilson, Mayor of Portland Dr. Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni Eduardo Pimentel, Mayor of Curitiba Caterina Sarfatti, Managing Director of Inclusion and Global Leadership at C40 Haris Doukas, Mayor of Athens Eirik Lae Solberg, Governing Mayor of Oslo Søren Staugaard Nielsen, Managing Director of the Ramboll Foundation Jo Jewell, Director of Social Responsibility Partnerships at Novo Nordisk Hon. Catherine McKenna, Chair of the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Expert Group on Net-Zero Commitments of Non-State Entities Christiana Figueres, Founding Partner of Global Optimism and Co-presenter of Outrage + Optimism Links: C40 World Mayors Summit: Cities Delivering Global Leadership for Climate Action - Bloomberg Philanthropies, YouTube C40 World Mayors Summit From negotiation to delivery:The Yearly Offer of Action Ramboll Foundation Novo Nordisk Cities for Better Health Green and Thriving Neighbourhoods Programme Integrity Matters: Winning the Future report Outrage + Optimism - Inside COP podcast If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
Nov 4, 2025 · 1 min
TRAILER: Join us at the C40 World Mayors Summit
Cities 1.5 is back with a special two-part series focused on the C40 World Mayor's Summit in Rio de Janeiro, convening just ahead of the upcoming COP30 in Brazil. City mayors are continuing to play a critical role in combating climate change as they implement substantial climate policies and actions amidst the inaction of national governments. Tune in to hear behind-the-scenes discussions with funders, policymakers, and mayors who are committed to cutting emissions, creating green jobs, and safeguarding their communities…all in the face of the accelerating urgency of the climate crisis. Featured: Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, England and co-chair of C40 Cities Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, OBE, Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone and co-chair of C40 Cities If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/
Sep 16, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min
Going Steady with Herman Daly: 'The seeds Herman planted'
We’re joining podcasts around the world in tandem with the 80th United Nations General Assembly, to ask a vital question: where do we find hope in challenging times? We explore how cities are implementing Herman Daly’s revolutionary economic theories. Featured in this episode: Karen Daly Junker, Herman and Marcia’s youngest daughter Terri Daly Stewart, Herman and Marcia’s eldest daughter Denis Daly Heyck, Herman’s sister David Batker, Ecological economist Katherine Trebeck, Political economist Leonora Grcheva, Cities & Regions Lead at DEAL Kate Raworth, Co-founder of DEAL Katy Shields, Regenerative Economist Cindy Acab, Waste to Resources Network Senior Manager at C40 Cllr. Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council Takehiko Nagumo, Director of Smart Cities Institute Japan Joshua Farley, Ecological Economist Gaya Herrington, Ecological economist Angelos Varvarousis, Research Fellow at UAB Tim Jackson, Ecological economist Clóvis Cavalcanti, Ecological economist John Redwood, Former employee of the World Bank Jon Sward, Environment Project Manager at the Bretton Woods Project Peter May, Ecological economist Brian Czech, Executive Director of CASSE Thank you to the Daly family for their generous support in sharing Herman’s story. Thank you also to our series consultants and fact checkers, Peter Harnik, Rob Dietz, and Peter Victor, who also graciously supplied the interview tape with Herman Daly, recorded in 2022. If you want to learn more about the Journal of City Climate Policy and Economy, please visit our website at https://jccpe.utpjournals.press/ Listen to the Cities 1.5 five-part miniseries “Going Steady with Herman Daly: How to Unbreak the Economy (and the Planet)" here: https://lnk.to/HDMiniSeries Cities 1.5 is produced by the University of Toronto Press and the C40 Centre, and is supported by C40 Cities. Sign up to the Centre newsletter: https://thecentre.substack.com/ Writing and executive production by Peggy Whitfield. Narrative and communications support by Chiara Morfeo. Produced by Jess Schmidt: https://jessdoespodcasting.com/ Edited by Morgane Chambrin: https://www.morganechambrin.com/ Music by Lorna Gilfedder: https://origamipodcastservices.com/