The influences of power, politics, and climate risk on US subnational climate action

Abstract

American cities have played an increasingly critical role in advancing US climate change mitigation and adaptation. Subnational government support for these efforts, however, varies across social, political, economic, and biogeophysical contexts. While the influence of politics on US climate mitigation is well established, further research is required to identify barriers to—and discern complex influences on—US subnational climate action. This study examines the influences of power dynamics between public and private interests, political party affiliation within government and the public, and risk of climate impacts, on observed climate mitigation and adaptation efforts within 136 urban US cities and 33 states. The findings of this study shed light on the motivations of subnational governments to take climate action, and identify significant dynamics influencing the likelihood of key state or local government decision-makers to take climate action.