Résumé:
This dissertation examines the role of New York City in implementing locally the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the background of an uneven U.S. federal
response. While the SDGs were adopted as a universal framework in 2015, their implementation
depends heavily on national and subnational governance. The U.S. federal government has shown
inconsistent engagement across administrations, lacking a coordinated national strategy. In
contrast, New York City has positioned itself as a global leader in SDG localization, notably
becoming the first city to submit a Voluntary Local Review (VLR) to the UN in 2018. Through
initiatives like OneNYC 2050, NYC has aligned its policy goals with the SDGs, offering a
valuable case study of urban leadership in global sustainability governance. Using a qualitative
case study methodology, including content analysis and data from stakeholder interviews, this
research explores the extent to which NYC’s engagement with the SDGs reflects, complements,
or challenges the broader federal stance. The study contributes to discussions on multilevel
governance, policy transfer, and the potential of cities to drive global sustainability efforts in the
absence of strong national coordination
