State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

traffic congestion

  • Congestion Pricing is Stuck in New York’s Political Traffic

    Congestion Pricing is Stuck in New York’s Political Traffic

    The subway system requires new signals, switches, cars, and expanded routes. While congestion pricing can’t pay for all of that, it can help.

  • Congestion Pricing and a Sustainable NYC

    Congestion Pricing and a Sustainable NYC

    Solving the transit problem is key to New York City’s health and well-being, and a new congestion pricing proposal is serious starting point.

  • A Sustainable City Would Continue to Keep Cars Out of Times Square

    A Sustainable City Would Continue to Keep Cars Out of Times Square

    The trade-off between regulating public behavior and free speech can be difficult, but must be taken on if we are to have public space in sustainable cities. Since we need more of these public spaces rather than fewer spaces, the behavior in Times Square is a challenge of governance that must be taken on by…

  • The State and Future of Congestion Pricing in China

    The State and Future of Congestion Pricing in China

    To combat urban air pollution and traffic problems, some propose congestion pricing as a cost-effective policy to reduce pollution and improve productivity through improved travel speeds. Cities in China could implement this policy and ameliorate some of the negative effects of congestion-caused pollution. So why is congestion pricing dead on arrival in China?

Collage of Turkiye beach scene and Columbia University Campus with text: UN Climate Change Conference COP31, Antalya, Turkiye, Nov 9-20, 2026

COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More

  • Congestion Pricing is Stuck in New York’s Political Traffic

    Congestion Pricing is Stuck in New York’s Political Traffic

    The subway system requires new signals, switches, cars, and expanded routes. While congestion pricing can’t pay for all of that, it can help.

  • Congestion Pricing and a Sustainable NYC

    Congestion Pricing and a Sustainable NYC

    Solving the transit problem is key to New York City’s health and well-being, and a new congestion pricing proposal is serious starting point.

  • A Sustainable City Would Continue to Keep Cars Out of Times Square

    A Sustainable City Would Continue to Keep Cars Out of Times Square

    The trade-off between regulating public behavior and free speech can be difficult, but must be taken on if we are to have public space in sustainable cities. Since we need more of these public spaces rather than fewer spaces, the behavior in Times Square is a challenge of governance that must be taken on by…

  • The State and Future of Congestion Pricing in China

    The State and Future of Congestion Pricing in China

    To combat urban air pollution and traffic problems, some propose congestion pricing as a cost-effective policy to reduce pollution and improve productivity through improved travel speeds. Cities in China could implement this policy and ameliorate some of the negative effects of congestion-caused pollution. So why is congestion pricing dead on arrival in China?