News and Updates
Climate Mayors Announces Appointment of Laura Jay as Deputy Director to Drive Local Climate Strategy
Climate Mayors is thrilled to announce that Laura Jay will be joining Climate Mayors as Deputy Director beginning in 2025. In this role, she will help shape and execute the strategic vision of the organization as set by the Executive Director, Board and Leadership Committee. Laura is an accomplished professional, bringing 15 years of experience working in non-profits advancing solutions to address climate change. Laura's expertise will be instrumental in driving the mission of our expanding organization.
Most recently, Laura served as the Regional Director for North America for C40 Cities where she elevated the position of US mayors nationally and globally and supported the deepening of engagement at the local level to drive impactful change on the ground. Prior to joining C40, Laura served as a Project Manager at Terrapin Bright Green
where she consulted to government agencies, developers and non-profits to create more sustainability policies and designs. She has also worked at the U.S. Green Building Council on governance and strategic planning. Laura holds a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from Columbia University and is based in Chicago with her family.
STATEMENT: Climate Mayors, America Is All In and U.S. Climate Alliance on Future of Climate Action Under Trump: “We Will Not Waver…We Will Not Turn Back”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the leadership of the country’s top subnational climate action coalitions – Climate Mayors, America Is All In and the U.S. Climate Alliance – issued the following statement regarding the future of climate action in America after Donald J. Trump was elected President:
“America’s climate-leading states, cities, Tribal nations, businesses, and institutions will not waver in our commitment to confronting the climate crisis, protecting our progress, and relentlessly pressing forward. No matter what, we’ll fight for the future Americans demand and deserve, where our communities, our health, our environment, and our economy all thrive. We will not turn back.”
Delegations representing these three coalitions will carry this message with them to the global stage, including to the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan and to Urban 20 (U20) 2024 Mayors' Summit in Brazil, where they will also strongly affirm America’s sustained commitment to working with the global community to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.
America Is All In, the U.S. Climate Alliance and Climate Mayors together represent nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population and three-quarters of U.S. GDP through 24 governors, nearly 350 mayors, and thousands of public and private institutions.
###
About Climate Mayors
Climate Mayors is a bipartisan network of nearly 350 mayors, demonstrating climate leadership through meaningful actions in their communities since 2014. Representing 46 states and nearly 60 million Americans, Climate Mayors reflects U.S. cities’ commitment to climate progress. For more information, visit our website and follow Climate Mayors on Twitter and LinkedIn.
MEDIA CONTACT: Climate Mayors, climatemayors@fgsglobal.com
About America Is All In
America Is All In is the most expansive coalition of leaders ever assembled in support of climate action in the United States. Mobilizing thousands of U.S. cities, states, tribal nations, businesses, schools, and faith, health, and cultural institutions, the coalition is focused on pushing and partnering with the federal government to develop an ambitious, all-in national climate strategy that meets the urgency of the climate crisis; scaling climate action around the country to accelerate the transition to a 100 percent clean energy economy; and promoting the leadership of non-federal actors on the world stage. With its Co-Chairs Michael R. Bloomberg, the U.N. Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, Apple Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives Lisa Jackson, and former White House National Climate Advisor and 13th U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy, America Is All In, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and led by World Wildlife Fund, is driving a nationwide movement to cut U.S. emissions in half or more by 2030 from 2005 levels and reach net zero emissions by 2050, while protecting against the impacts of climate change.
MEDIA CONTACT: America Is All In, all-in@fgsglobal.com
About the U.S. Climate Alliance
Launched on June 1, 2017 to help fill the void left by the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, the U.S. Climate Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of 24 governors securing America’s net-zero future by advancing state-led, high-impact climate action. Governors in the Alliance have pledged to collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025, at least 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030, and collectively achieve overall net-zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as practicable, and no later than 2050. The Alliance’s states and territories continue to demonstrate that climate action goes hand-in-hand with economic growth, job creation, and better public health. While reducing collective greenhouse gas emissions by 19%, Alliance members have increased their collective GDP by 30%. The coalition’s states and territories are employing more workers in the clean energy sector, achieving lower levels of dangerous air pollutants, and preparing more effectively for climate impacts and executing more pre-disaster planning than the rest of the country.
MEDIA CONTACT: U.S. Climate Alliance, press@climatealliance.org
PRESS RELEASE: Climate Mayors and NOAA join forces to advance climate resilience
Today, Climate Mayors and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) that advances collaborative efforts to help cities across the nation better prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change.
This MOU formalizes collaboration between NOAA and Climate Mayors to accelerate the use of climate information and expertise at the local level. The agreement will also ensure that NOAA’s world-class climate science and tools are easy for local leaders across the country to access, understand and use. By strengthening collaborative efforts between NOAA and Climate Mayors, mayors will have the resources they need to act on their commitment to take climate action in their communities.
“The climate crisis continues to threaten the lives and livelihoods of communities across the nation,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “This partnership with the Climate Mayors will undoubtedly help make way for NOAA's vision of creating a more climate-ready nation — one that is ready for, responsive and resilient to the rapidly changing climate.”
“Impactful solutions only evolve from a deep understanding of climate science and what is truly at stake for cities in the face of climate change,” said Kate Wright, executive director of Climate Mayors. “By partnering with NOAA, Climate Mayors across the country will gain access to insightful climate data and services — enhancing their ability to prepare for and respond to a changing climate. This partnership will ensure that all communities, especially those most at risk, have the opportunity to bolster resilience and build a safer tomorrow.”
The MOU outlines ways for NOAA and the Climate Mayors to work together to boost climate resilience by improving the development and dissemination of climate information and services.
NOAA and the Climate Mayors agree to collaborate on the following actions, with the shared goal of increasing local access to climate science and tools:
NOAA will provide regional and local climate decision support services, including relevant climate information to help core partners and communities prepare and make decisions when faced with high-impact weather or climate-related events.
Climate Mayors will inform NOAA’s climate service development and delivery to support a climate-ready nation and provide annual reporting of data gaps.
Climate Mayors will highlight adaptation successes, contribute to case studies and lessons learned and encourage its members to participate in monitoring and evaluation efforts led by NOAA and its partners.
NOAA will annually brief Climate Mayors leadership on climate products, data, tools services and other relevant opportunities. The Climate Mayors will also receive timely updates on climate tools and other informational products related to seasonal and high-impact events.
The MOU will remain in effect for five years and will be reviewed every two years.
Climate, weather, and water affect all life on our ocean planet. NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict our changing environment, from the deep sea to outer space, and to manage and conserve America’s coastal and marine resources.
##
About Climate Mayors
Climate Mayors is a bipartisan network of nearly 350 mayors, demonstrating climate leadership through meaningful actions in their communities since 2014. Representing 46 states and nearly 60 million Americans, Climate Mayors reflects U.S. cities’ commitment to climate progress. For more information, visit our website and follow Climate Mayors on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Media Contact: climatemayors@fgsglobal.com
About NOAA
Climate, weather, and water affect all life on our ocean planet. NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict our changing environment, from the deep sea to outer space, and to manage and conserve America’s coastal and marine resources.
Media Contact: Lori Arguelles, lori.arguelles@noaa.gov, 571 439-4084
PRESS RELEASE: Northeast Ohio Mayors Unite to Deliver Climate Action that Benefits Local Residents
White House representative joins seven mayors across the region to coordinate implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act
Cleveland, OH - (August 29, 2024) — On Tuesday, August 27, seven mayors from the Northeast Ohio region met with White House representative John Lucey, Senior Advisor to the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs for Implementation, to discuss local and regional opportunities for clean energy, transportation, and infrastructure projects that will improve residents' health, safety, and environmental impact. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is delivering unprecedented funding to cities across the country for transformative projects that reduce carbon emissions and improve lives. Tuesday’s meeting focused on how the region’s mayors and city leaders can ensure Northeast Ohio residents benefit from lower energy costs, infrastructure improvements, and climate benefits created by the IRA.
The convening took place as part of a two day workshop on IRA implementation, led by Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb, and organized with Climate Mayors, C40 Cities, and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. The workshop gathered NE OH City staff and community stakeholders in a collaborative learning environment at Cleveland Public LIbrary where they worked to transform innovative ideas into actionable plans that will help build a thriving and resilient Cleveland and greater Northeast Ohio region.
Cities across Northeast Ohio are implementing transformative projects with support from the Inflation Reduction Act. Notable projects include:
$1 million US EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) planning grant awarded to Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) in support of a regional decarbonization framework for NE Ohio
$129 million CPRG Implementation Grant awarded to Cuyahoga County, the City of Cleveland and City of Painesville to develop solar on landfills
$3.4 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Service for transforming urban forestry maintenance and management in environmental justice communities in and around Cleveland
Two Solar for All awards that will benefit NE Ohioans. $156M for the Industrial Heartland Coalition and $156M to the State of Ohio for the equitable distribution of residential solar
Workforce development and forecasted economic and health benefits are integrated into each of these projects.
White House representative John Lucey led a mayoral roundtable discussion on local strategies for engaging residents and community stakeholders in project development, additional funding sources, and ensuring individuals and families have access to the tax breaks and funding for personal action.
Justin Bibb, Mayor of Cleveland, said, "Local leadership and collaboration is crucial in leveraging historical federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and taking meaningful and equitable climate action in cities like Cleveland throughout NE Ohio that continue to experience climate vulnerability as a result of historic disinvestment."
Kate Johnson, C40 Cities, said “Cities are bringing the promise of federal climate funding to life. The Inflation Reduction Act provides unprecedented tools and funding to local governments to invest in projects that will improve health and safety, create good green jobs, and reduce emissions. The world is watching the U.S. for climate leadership, and events like today’s summit are proof that when mayors act, progress is achievable and everyone from local residents to global citizens feel the benefits.”
Kate Wright, Climate Mayors, said, “Today’s collaboration between Northeast Ohio mayors and the White House underscores the vital role that local leadership plays in driving impactful climate action. Climate Mayors is committed to aligning the efforts of our member cities with the unprecedented opportunities offered through the Inflation Reduction Act to not only advance sustainable infrastructure but also ensure that these initiatives directly benefit the residents of communities across the nation. This is climate action that is both ambitious and equitable, creating healthier, more resilient cities for all."
Julia Peek, USDN, said, “We are so excited to see this collaboration across cities and sectors in Northeast Ohio to help communities get the most out of the Inflation Reduction Act. This funding is creating opportunities for communities to have cleaner air, healthier families, well-paying jobs, and thriving places to work, live, and play.”
Kahlil Seren, Mayor of Cleveland Heights, said “As a Mayor addressing the climate crisis, I’m centered on the practical ways that I can secure a safe and healthy future for the people I serve. Federal funding for public EV chargers in our city is one of many practical examples of making it easier for all of us to contribute to the solution.”
Jack Bradley, Mayor of Lorain, said, “Lorain is proud to collaborate with county and state partners in addressing the critical issue of brownfield sites within our community. This joint effort reflects our shared commitment to revitalizing these areas, ensuring a safer environment, and unlocking new opportunities for development and growth. Together, we are turning potential hazards into promising futures for our residents and businesses.”
Annette Blackwell, Mayor of Maple Heights, said, “The City of Maple Heights is a city that has found its way back and that journey has included a focus on a better quality of life which include advancing environmental justice and addressing health inequities.”
David Weiss, Mayor of Shaker Heights, said, “The IRA’s rebates and education help support our broad-based climate change and sustainability efforts in Shaker Heights. Specifically, Direct Pay is helping us to electrify our fleet of city-owned vehicles. Through Direct Pay, we are eligible for a payment of $30,000 to offset our purchase of four EVs for our expanded mental health response program. That is nearly enough for one additional vehicle. In addition, we have been looking at options for solar on City buildings for several years and are closer now than at any other time because of the possibility of offsetting 30% to 40% of the cost through these programs.”
Michael Brennan, Mayor of University Heights, said, “Local leaders are working in concert to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a local level. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, local governments have resources to draw from. This roundtable was an excellent opportunity to show our constituents that like-minded leaders are making change happen incrementally at home, so that together we will create global progress.”
Shammas Malik, Mayor of Akron, said, "Forums like today's are vital to helping cities like Akron take advantage of federal funding and develop projects that serve the environment, our people, and our economies. We aim to leverage funding for the benefit of our community through initiatives that tackle important issues like housing rehabilitation, emissions-free transportation, clean energy integration, climate resilience improvements, and so much more."
###
About Climate Mayors
Climate Mayors is a bipartisan network that has mobilized more than 750 U.S. mayors since 2014, demonstrating climate leadership through meaningful actions in their communities. Representing 46 states and nearly 60 million Americans, Climate Mayors reflects U.S. cities’ commitment to climate progress. For more information, visit our website and follow Climate Mayors on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Media Contact: climatemayors@fgsglobal.com
About C40 Cities
C40 is a network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities working to deliver the urgent action needed right now to confront the climate crisis and create a future where everyone, everywhere can thrive. Mayors of C40 cities are committed to using a science-based and people-focused approach to help the world limit global heating to 1.5°C and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities. Through a Global Green New Deal, mayors are working alongside a broad coalition of representatives from labour, business, the youth climate movement and civil society to go further and faster than ever before. To learn more about the work of C40 and our cities, please visit our website, or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About USDN
USDN brings local government sustainability practitioners together to learn, collaborate, and accelerate the work of local sustainability. By equipping them with the knowledge, resources, and partnerships they need to succeed, USDN helps advance change locally in member communities as well as across the field of practice. The aggregate impact and influence of our collective work makes an equitable, resilient, and sustainable society more attainable.