Despite its economic success, these fruits are not evenly distributed: a Londoner in the top 10 percent has 295 times the wealth of a Londoner in the bottom 10 percent, and 27 percent of the city’s residents live in poverty (after deducting housing costs). It must also address significant inequality amongst its citizens. Today the city faces the challenge of adapting to continued population growth and accommodating both people and industries.

It is a well-educated population too, with the city topping European tables for levels of tertiary education attainment amongst its residents. This is a diverse population, the most diverse in the UK, with a wealth of culture and communities. London has a large population of almost nine million, much higher than other UK cities, and this is set to grow to around 10 million in the next decade as migrants are attracted from across the UK and further afield. The region governed by the Greater London Authority (GLA)3 covers 1579km². On a comparable basis, the city’s economy is larger than that of many European countries, including Belgium, Sweden and Norway. In 2014, it accounted for more than one fifth of the UK’s total GVA output. It is the seat of national government and a core part of the UK economy.

In conjunction with the government regulations, behavioral change of the citizens is also pivotal for achieving sustainability outcomes in global cities.London is a highly successful global city. However, approaches toward achieving sustainability goals are different in London and New York City due to dissimilarities in geography, local cultures, and diverse environmental politics. The comparative analysis reveals that there are more similarities than differences between London and New York City in regards to sustainability goals. This study conducts a comparative analysis on local sustainability policies in New York City and London and focuses on the efficiencies of the initiatives taken by these cities. In the United States, many cities and local government, including New York City, are taking their own initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emission, whereas European cities are built historically with compact nature which is more sustainable.

Many global cities are vulnerable to global warming and adversities of climate change. As global cities are the financial centers of globalized economy, they have attained much attention from global communities concerning local initiatives on environmental sustainability.

London global city case study