Combating Climate Change

ProHub Comment

This is a well-structured brainstorming case designed to test candidate creativity and policy analysis skills. The interviewer-led format with multiple questions progressively deepens the analysis from a high-level framework through stakeholder considerations, data interpretation, and implementation challenges. The case effectively balances environmental goals with practical concerns like equity, business impact, and political feasibility.

Estimated Time 15 minutes
Difficulty Medium
Source Columbia
50 / 100

The mayor of NYC was just elected based on her platform of creating a more environmentally sustainable city. During her campaign, she set a mandate to reduce the city’s emissions by 80% by 2050. Critics are skeptical of these lofty goals. But the mayor is determined to make this her number one priority and has hired your firm to design the city’s greenhouse gas reduction plan.

What factors would you consider when designing NYC’s greenhouse gas reduction plan?

Clarifying Information

  1. There is no specific budget, but the mayor doesn’t want the plan to require an increase in taxes for her constituents
  2. The plan is just focused on NYC, not the state of NY
  3. The mayor is open to any and all ideas you might have, so get creative!