As the climate crisis intensifies, urban communities worldwide are increasingly becoming focal points for pioneering sustainability practices. Urban areas emit 70% of global CO2 emissions, with some of the largest contributors being transportation and buildings.
During this year’s AgTech Week NYC and Climate Week NYC, the call to action around advancing urban sustainability was evident. But it’s not only about innovation, it’s about effectively communicating these innovations. The challenge and opportunity lie in launching green initiatives and ensuring these efforts resonate with the very people they aim to benefit. In bustling urban environments like New York City, the task is to turn high-concept, eco-friendly ideas into relatable, everyday practices. This is where strategic communication steps in, turning forward-thinking projects into common knowledge and supported policies.
Communicating to Help Shape Urban Farming Policies
New York City, with its dense population and towering skyscrapers, might seem an unlikely place for farming. Yet, Brooklyn Grange, a leader in urban green infrastructure, has transformed city rooftops into flourishing farms. This progress was supported by the city’s Local Laws 92 and 94, which incentivize the installation of green roofs and solar panels. By promoting these policies, Brooklyn Grange helps others recognize their significance while strengthening future policy support. This alignment can encourage broader participation in green initiatives and contribute to advancing both the company and the city toward a more sustainable future.
In situations like these, effective communication from the outset can inform and engage the public and policymakers. Leadership-driven narratives that clearly articulate the vision can catalyze community buy-in and legislative support. Showcasing customer success stories that highlight enhancements to community life and property values can also significantly bolster public endorsement and policy support.
Bridging Tech and Community in the City
Voltpost, a company repurposing street lamps as electric vehicle charging stations, exemplifies the connection between technology and urban infrastructure. These innovative solutions integrate technology seamlessly into daily city life and help to advance sustainable urban development by demonstrating how familiar fixtures can meet modern needs. By highlighting the convenience and cost-effectiveness of these charging stations, Voltpost can further foster community acceptance and engagement.
Effective communication strategies that showcase tangible community benefits are essential to engaging urban communities, stakeholders, and policymakers. Fostering relationships with local residents, government, businesses and reporters helps push these technological solutions into neighborhood enhancements. For Voltpost, participation in initiatives like the New York City DOT Studio program offered the opportunity to gather feedback, increase visibility, and build trust within the community, demonstrating how these relationships translate into real-world improvements. Additionally, increasing the visibility of founders on LinkedIn and other social platforms allows them to personally connect with the community, sharing achievements and building trust that encourages broader engagement.
Fostering Collaboration Through Strategic Communication
Urban sustainability demands multidisciplinary collaboration across various sectors. Effective communication is crucial in these efforts, not just to share information but to create a compelling narrative that aligns diverse stakeholders around shared goals. This narrative should highlight how sustainable practices deliver not only economic incentives but also contribute to environmental preservation and social well-being.
Promoting “coopetition” or cooperative competition exemplifies the potential of collaborative strategies between competing businesses and among stakeholders, to meet sustainability objectives. Joint initiatives and media opportunities can effectively amplify the message of sustainability for multiple companies, demonstrating the tangible benefits of this cooperation. Furthermore, brand-building exercises are vital, helping companies establish and communicate their unique strengths and values, which in turn facilitates more effective collaboration by allowing stakeholders to identify complementary partners and visualize the collective impact of these initiatives on the urban landscape.
The urgent need for environmental solutions in urban spaces underscores the crucial role of strategic communication in mobilizing public support and policy action. Are you a company that is solving today’s environmental challenges in urban areas or elsewhere? Let’s talk. At RH Strategic, we excel at elevating climate tech, agtech, and clean tech innovators, helping companies craft and communicate their stories with integrity.
***
RH Strategic is a Seattle and D.C.-based PR agency with a nationwide presence and additional global reach via membership in the Worldcom Public Relations Group. We provide strategic public relations for innovators in the technology, government, healthcare, and social and environmental impact markets.
