Global climate change and the cities in the Anthropocene: scales, networks and technologies

Abstract

In the context of the Anthropocene, the climate crisis reveals States’ limitations to develop effective mitigation strategies. In addition, the growing levels of urbanization around the world will bring considerable climatic impacts to cities. These factors help to explain urban engagement in the international climate policy. In spite of this, the Brazilian literature has not yet provided an integrated analysis of the ways in which cities operate in this regard. To help fill this gap, I use the method of systematic literature review. As a result, I propose three integrative perspectives: scales, networks and technologies. These three conceptions reveal strategies through which cities have been active in the international climate policy, such as local-global activism, participation in transnational networks, and the construction of smart cities.