Climate Mayors Drive Bold Climate Action in 2024

This year has been BIG for local climate action. Our organization and membership of visionary mayors have taken bold steps to combat the climate crisis. Climate Mayors cities have led the charge, deploying cutting-edge clean energy solutions, advancing comprehensive city-wide climate plans, and enhancing the quality of life for all residents. We’ve built strong momentum and are moving full speed ahead into 2025 to continue delivering results and driving climate ambition.

This year, our mayors spoke and gathered at a host of events including the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Aspen Climate Ideas, Climate Week NYC, and COP29 to engage in regional, national and international conversations to keep the needs of cities at the forefront of climate conversations. Climate Mayors were proud to rally around our shared mission of protecting cities and fostering effective collaboration across local, state, national, and global partnerships alongside U.S. climate leaders such as Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Biden Administration Senior Advisor John Podesta.

We launched our new #Electrify50 commitment to accelerate the US electric vehicle transition. This commitment will save taxpayer dollars, improve public health, increase access to charging, and create clean energy jobs across the country. Climate Mayors also announced a formalized collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to help cities across the nation better prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change. 

To advance policies and solutions that reduce emissions and protect cities from climate impacts, our organization urged the current administration and Congressional lawmakers to take critical and immediate action. We called upon the Biden Administration to finalize the strongest possible standards for heavy-duty vehicles and advocated for Congress to pass a comprehensive clean emergency disaster relief bill. Climate Mayors also applauded the release of final guidance on elective pay for the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy tax credits, the EPA’s final emissions rules for vehicles, and the announcement of $7 billion for EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. 

Following the Presidential election, Climate Mayors affirmed their unwavering commitment to accelerate local climate action and to defend the investments on the national and local level that have launched us on a trajectory toward a sustainable future. Regardless of federal action or inaction, Climate Mayors across the nation will continue to be pragmatic leaders and deliver programs that ensure our environment, communities, health, and economy all thrive. In 2025, we will double down on investments that will lower energy costs, make our air and water cleaner, and bolster resilience to climate disasters. Climate Mayors seeks to deepen regional partnerships to form a bulwark against efforts to roll back progress and expand collaboration with business leaders investing in America’s economic prosperity. Are you a local leader or organization looking to do the same? Join us in 2025 as we fight for the future Americans demand and deserve.

Bloomberg: What Can US Cities and States Do for the Climate Under Trump? Plenty

The Climate Mayors is a bipartisan network of roughly 350 mayors working to drive change locally but also the federal level. In the West, cities including Phoenix and Salt Lake City, which have been struggling with water shortages in the Colorado River basin, “are starting to get together to share best practices on what individual cities can do to better manage water,” said Mark Gold, the director of water scarcity solutions at the National Resources Defense Council. “This concept of trying to move towards self-sufficiency to build climate resilience is something that we’re talking about at length,” Gold said.

Earth Matters: Local activists and leaders could undermine Trumpistas' anti-climate, anti-eco moves

For instance, at Energy News Network, Dan Haugen points to the potential for a collision between mayors and the new administration in an interview with Justin Bibb, chair of Climate Mayors, a bipartisan group of city leaders determined to keep climate on the agenda regardless of what the White House does.

“It’s going to be incumbent upon mayors, and also Republican governors and members of Congress who have seen the benefits of these investments, to make the business case to the Trump-Vance administration,” Bibb said. “I don’t want to cede our innovation in the EV sector to China. I don’t want to cede our innovation around green energy and renewables to Europe. We have to make the case … on why these investments are important for America’s national security and America’s economic competitiveness.”

Bibb said Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods has publicly urged Trump not to abandon U.S. leadership on climate change, and there are hopes that some prominent Republicans will press the president-elect in the same direction.

On the day after the election, Climate Mayors, America Is All In, and the U.S. Climate Alliance issued the following statement: “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.”

Smart Cities Dive: ‘We’ve been here before’: What Trump’s win could mean for local climate action

“[Mayors] are going to double down on our commitment, passion and vigor to continue to address these issues, especially at the local level,” said Cleveland, Ohio, Mayor Justin Bibb, who is the chair of Climate Mayors. “We’ve been here before, when President Trump was first elected in 2016 and pulled out of the Paris Accords,” a legally binding international treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

It will likely be more difficult for local governments to take on ambitious climate projects under a second Trump administration than it was under the Biden administration, said Amy Turner, director of the Cities Climate Law Initiative at Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. But the next four years won’t be the first time that U.S. cities lack a strong federal partner on this front. In fact, the Biden administration is the first strong federal climate partner cities have ever had, Turner said. Even so, Biden’s climate track record isn’t spotless, with the U.S. breaking global records for crude oil production under his administration.

Fast Company: The Biden administration launched 66,000 infrastructure projects. Pete Buttigieg talks about what’s next

I think local government is hugely important, and state government will be very important as well. None of the projects we’re talking about, these 66,000 projects, none of them was conceived here at headquarters. And none of them is being delivered directly by the federal government. We provide the funds. It’s really the state, the city transit agencies, tribes, and others who are making it happen. So I do think that they will continue to lead the way. I remember a few years ago when a number of cities came together on the Climate Mayors—not just U.S. cities, but cities around the world that were tired of waiting for their respective national capitals to catch up on sustainability—and realize that between them they had most of the world’s GDP anyway. I do think you’ll maybe see a renewed season of leadership from the ground up to make sure that things keep happening even if it’s less steady here in Washington.

PRESS RELEASE: 415 Mayors and City Councilmembers Urge Congress to Swiftly Pass a Comprehensive, Clean Emergency Disaster Relief Bill for Impacted Communities

Washington, DC (November 18, 2024) –  Communities across the U.S. have been devastated by more than 160 disaster declarations since 2023. Today, 415 mayors and councilmembers call on Congress to swiftly pass an emergency disaster relief bill to support communities impacted by these disasters. The initial Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief funding allocated by Congress will soon be exhausted, and local leaders are urging Congress to fully replenish this funding. Mayors and councilmembers across the country are on the front-lines of disaster response and in order to effectively support their communities in responding to the devastating effects of historic storms, they will require strong and consistent support from Washington. 

Communities across the country are grappling with increasingly frequent and intensified extreme weather events caused by the climate crisis. This is their new normal. The safety and livelihoods of communities must be a priority in the context of a warming world. The letter asks Congress to fully fund FEMA’s recovery efforts, replenish the Small Business Administration’s loan program to help businesses and homeowners, provide a flexible funding structure to allow cities to address the specific recovery needs of their communities, and more. Fully funding recovery efforts is not merely a matter of good economic policy, but a fundamental obligation of the federal government to deliver support for constituents who depend on these resources in their most vulnerable times of need.

“Hurricane Helene was a storm unlike Asheville has ever experienced – leaving our community devastated and working to rebuild our homes, infrastructure, and businesses,” said Mayor Esther Manheimer of Asheville, North Carolina. “This storm has shown that no place is truly a haven from climate change. Asheville is on a long road to recovery and our community needs federal funding now to not only deliver much-needed relief but to prepare for inevitable future disasters that are becoming more frequent and intense due to our changing climate.”

As American cities continue to recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, local leaders who are a part of Climate Mayors—a bipartisan network of nearly 350 mayors committed to climate action; the National League of Cities, representing 19,000 cities, towns and villages nationwide; U.S. Conference of Mayors, representing over 1,400 cities with populations of 30,000 or more; and C40 Cities, a network of mayors from nearly 100 world-leading cities, including 14 in the United States, supported the letter and urged Congressional leadership to pass a clean, disaster emergency supplemental bill as soon as possible.

“As mayors, we are the first line of defense when disasters strike, and we see firsthand the profound impacts on our communities,” said Mayor Jane Castor of Tampa, Florida. “After the unprecedented disasters that struck Tampa Bay this year, back-to-back hurricanes, federal support is critical for a whole of government approach to disaster response. We need to ensure FEMA and our first responders have the funding ready when the next disaster strikes.”

“Cities across our country are experiencing unprecedented, and repetitive, weather-related disasters. I can personally attest to the importance of Federal disaster assistance funding as a lifeline for our residents and our city. Supplemental funding is imperative to meet the needs cities around our nation are facing,” said Councilmember Abbie Kamin of Houston, Texas.

“Our mayors and their communities are experiencing first-hand the personal impacts of extreme weather events, said Climate Mayors Executive Director Kate Wright. “Rebuilding stronger, safer, and more resilient communities requires a true partnership with the federal government. With timely support from Congress, cities can recover from this historic year of disasters and rebuild essential infrastructure that prioritizes the well-being and future of our residents.”

“Local leaders are on the front lines, as more severe and more frequent natural disasters hit their communities,” said National League of Cities CEO & Executive Director Clarence E. Anthony. “Cities, towns and villages need a federal partner to support response, recovery and rebuilding with resilience in mind. NLC urges Congress to pass an emergency supplemental disaster funding bill without delay to provide federal agencies with the essential funds necessary for recovery efforts.”

"The U.S. Conference of Mayors is pleased to join with the National League of Cities, Climate Mayors, and C40 Cities to encourage mayors and other elected local officials to urge Congress to swiftly pass a comprehensive, emergency disaster supplemental appropriations bill. This bill is essential to fund the recovery from more than 160 major disaster declarations since 2023 that have impacted communities across America. Our cities and the people who reside within them desperately need this help and Congress must act now,” said Tom Cochran, U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director. 

"Mayors in the US and around the world are on the frontlines of their communities' impacts to extreme weather caused by climate change. Every year we see more historic disasters and there is no time to hesitate in giving people the support they need to recover from these devastating events," said Laura Jay, Regional Director for North America at C40. "We, along with our partners at Climate Mayors, US Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities, call on Congress to swiftly pass the Federal disaster assistance relief that communities desperately need."

In the letter, local leaders called for the supplemental funding to:

• Fully fund FEMA’s recovery efforts for recent and future disasters

• Replenish the Small Business Administration Assistance Loan Program to help business owners and homeowners rebuild

• Ensure funding for the Economic Development Administration’s on-the-ground response programs

• Refill the U.S. Department of Transportation Emergency Relief highway and transit funds

• Provide funding to support long-term recovery efforts through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Resilience program, which is essential for helping communities sustainably rebuild their infrastructure, and

• Increase funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for families and children impacted by major national disasters since 2023.

Read the full letter here.

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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 National League of Cities:

The National League of Cities (NLC) is the voice of America’s cities, towns and villages, representing more than 200 million people. NLC works to strengthen local leadership, influence federal policy and drive innovative solutions. Stay connected with NLC on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Media Contact: media@nlc.org

About U.S. Conference of Mayors:

The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are more than 1,400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. Follow our work on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and Medium.

Media Contact: Sara Durr, sdurr@usmayors.org

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. We work alongside a broad coalition of representatives from labour, business, the youth climate movement and civil society to support mayors to halve emissions by 2030 and help phase out fossil use while increasing urban climate resilience and equity.

To learn more about the work of C40 and our cities, please visit our website or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Media Contact: c40@fgsglobal.com

Energy News Network: Climate mayors’ top priority under Trump: Defend the IRA

“It’s going to be incumbent upon mayors, and also Republican governors and members of Congress who have seen the benefits of these investments, to make the business case to the Trump-Vance administration,” Bibb said.

The stakes in his city include a $575 million commitment to help mining company Cleveland-Cliffs transition to green steel production, as well as a $129 million regional grant that’s funding solar projects on brownfields and former landfills. Tax incentives under the law spurred an area welding equipment company to launch a line of electric vehicle fast charging stations. 

“I don’t want to cede our innovation in the EV sector to China. I don’t want to cede our innovation around green energy and renewables to Europe,” Bibb said. “We have to make the case … on why these investments are important for America’s national security and America’s economic competitiveness.”

To make that case, Climate Mayors hopes to enlist allies, including Republican elected officials and business leaders. Bibb noted that Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods has publicly urged Trump not to abandon U.S. leadership on climate change.

“I think it’s going to be [about] having the right kind of conversation to make the case to this incoming leadership in the White House,” Bibb said.

And if that doesn’t work, expect Climate Mayors to keep pushing for ways to act collectively to advance climate and clean energy. For example, the organization announced a commitment this summer by more than 350 mayors to electrify half of their fleets and increase EV chargers by at least 500% by 2030.

“We’ve been here before. We’ll get through this,” Bibb said, but “it’s going to be a lot harder if we don’t have a federal partner in Washington, D.C.”

Business Green: Trump's re-election is a hurdle rather than dead-end for climate action

More innovation, activism and cooperation at all levels of society can transcend political divides in the US, argues the Climate Crisis Advisory Group's Alice Hill from the Council on Foreign Relations

Donald Trump's re-election matters when it comes to climate change. Historically the largest producer of emissions and currently the second largest polluter after China, the United States plays an outsized...

World Resources Institute: Trump May Thwart Federal Climate Action, but Opportunities for Progress Remain

Some states are poised for even greater action before Trump takes office. In California, voters overwhelming approved  Proposition 4, a $10 billion bond measure that will help the state prepare for the impacts of climate change. Just after the election, California’s Governor Newsom announced a special session  of the state legislature to take steps “to safeguard California values”— including the fight against climate change — ahead Trump’s second term. A day later, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved  updates to the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), designed to accelerate the development of cleaner fuels and zero-emission infrastructure to help the state meet legislatively mandated air quality and climate targets.

At the same time, voters in Washington state upheld  a new law that forces companies to cut carbon emissions while raising billions to support programs such as habitat restoration and climate preparation. Maryland’s Governor Moore issued a wide-ranging executive order  earlier this year directing state agencies to develop climate implementation plans to ensure the state could continue working towards its ambitious climate change targets , which aim for net-zero carbon by 2045.

In parallel, cities have long played a crucial role in advancing climate policies and will continue to do so. Climate Mayors , which started as a network of 30 mayors in 2017, is now a bipartisan network of nearly 350 U.S. mayors driving climate action in their communities. These cities continue investing in public transportation, green infrastructure and local emissions-reduction initiatives — all of which will continue to mitigate the impacts of climate change and build more sustainable urban environments with or without federal action on climate.

Bloomberg Law: States Embrace Climate Leadership as Trump Heads to White House

Environmental progress will largely depend on a state’s political affiliation if federal rules loosen, said Bob Martineau, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation from 2011 to 2018. Blue states like California will scramble to bolster environmental protections, Martineau said. Red states, meanwhile, could feel emboldened to roll back policies.

Cities can also step in. Justin Bibb—the Democratic mayor of Cleveland and chair of the Climate Mayors organization—released a statement reaffirming 350 mayors’ commitment to local climate action “in the absence of national leadership.”

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell (D) pointed to energy efficiency, green job opportunities, and severe weather event preparation as key going forward.

“Every election is a climate election at this point, and it is more clear than ever that cities must lead,” O’Connell said in an emailed statement.

Boston Globe: ‘We are still in’: Cities and states vow to uphold climate goals as Trump returns

“Cities and states have been at this a lot longer, and started a lot earlier, because we see the reality on the ground,” said Brian Swett, chief climate officer for the city of Boston. “We know here in Boston that we need to be leaders, if other folks are going to be willing to follow.”

Even before Trump’s first election, Boston joined the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance — a group of 22 cities around the world, including London, Berlin, Melbourne, and Amsterdam — that have committed to carbon neutrality in the next 10 to 20 years.

Mayor Michelle Wu is also part of a bipartisan group of nearly 350 mayors across 46 states known as the Climate Mayors, who are committed to climate action. Last week, after Trump’s victory was announced, the Climate Mayors announced, “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.”

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. 

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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 

STATEMENT: Climate Mayors Reaffirm Commitment to Local Climate Action and Pledge Continued Ambition Under Second Trump Administration

Washington, DC (November 6, 2024) – Today, Mayor Justin M. Bibb, Mayor of Cleveland and Chair of Climate Mayors – a network of nearly 350 mayors demonstrating local climate leadership through meaningful action – issued the following statement in response to the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States: 

“As Chair of Climate Mayors, I’d like to reaffirm that our network of nearly 350 U.S. mayors are steadfast in our commitment to accelerating local climate action and meeting our established national goals under the Paris Climate Agreement during the second administration of President Donald Trump. Mayors engage closely with their communities every day and understand that we cannot afford the costs of exiting the Paris Agreement as was done in 2017. Climate Mayors nationwide have witnessed the impacts of climate change firsthand, such as historic extreme heat waves, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, all of which have taken a significant toll on our communities. Which is why we are doubling down on climate action and continuing to reduce emissions, support clean energy growth, and build healthier communities. Our commitment to combating the existential threat of climate change and protecting the federal legislation that provides cities with vital funding remains unwavering.

“By utilizing funding and provisions within the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, our city leaders have launched us on a trajectory toward a sustainable future. Despite 60% of Inflation Reduction Act projects benefiting Republican districts, conservative congressional leaders continue to threaten our progress with sweeping rollbacks of much-needed support. These clean energy provisions have sparked a surge in clean energy manufacturing, private investment, and job creation, prompting 18 Republican members of Congress to urge leadership to keep them in place. As we enter the Trump-Vance administration, Climate Mayors will continue to fight for legislation that benefits hard-working Americans and protects the most vulnerable populations by engaging key partners, policymakers, and stakeholders in our fight for just and innovative legislation. 

“We understand the urgent responsibility to deliver on U.S. climate action in the absence of national leadership. Our members will work alongside states, businesses and other sectors to ensure our cities are beacons of climate progress.”

Through the collective power of the network, cities can forge a path toward a sustainable and just tomorrow for all. As the big tent for local climate leaders, Mayors can demonstrate their commitment to keeping the U.S. on track through subnational climate leadership and benefit from the support of our growing network of Climate Mayors at https://www.climatemayors.org/join-us.

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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

Context News: US cities seek to ‘Trump-proof’ inequality action ahead of vote

Still, U.S. cities gained significant experience in filling a perceived gap in federal policy during the first Trump administration, Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb said in an interview.

"We've been here before," said Bibb, who also chairs the national Climate Mayors group of more than 500 cities.

"America's mayors and Climate Mayors will work to continue to ensure that we take full advantage of the incentives, as we need to make sure we're addressing the climate crisis at the local level. We're already planning for either scenario," he said of the election outcome.

Wisconsin Examiner: How three big White House bills fixed streets and met climate priorities in one city

Climate change was a priority of Mason’s from when was first elected seven years ago. He committed the city to following the Paris Climate Accords.

Former President Donald Trump was in the White House at the time and withdrew from the accords in 2017. With federal policymakers uninterested in addressing climate change, Mason said, he looked elsewhere for support.

He joined the bipartisan Climate Mayors organization, municipal chief executives concerned about what many viewed as the central environmental concern of the time. He found the group invaluable for sharing ideas and learning what could work.

“You hear people, ‘Oh, you can’t do police cars that are electric,’” Mason said. “And then you go to a conference, and here’s 12 that are using electric vehicles as police cars.”

KIRO 7: First electric firetruck in the state coming to Redmond

The City of Redmond prepares to receive the state’s first electric fire truck as it looks to electrify its municipal fleets.

With the city’s goal of electrifying at least 50% of its fleet by 2035, the Redmond Fire Department will receive its first electric fire truck by the end of the year.

In August, the mayor of Redmond joined 350 U.S. mayors in a collaboration to increase the electrification of its government fleet.

“Electrifying municipal fleets and building our charging infrastructure is key to building a green economy in Redmond,” said Mayor Birney. “By investing in sustainable transportation alongside fellow Climate Mayors, we not only reduce emissions, but also lay the foundation for new opportunities for innovation and sustainability in our community.”

Governing: Hundreds of Mayors Agree to Set the Pace for Electric Vehicle Adoption

A bipartisan group of 350 mayors hopes to lead by example, committing to collectively electrify at least half of their fleets by 2030 and increase EV chargers by at least 500 percent by 2035.

They are members of Climate Mayors, a peer-to-peer network of city leaders in 48 states working together to address climate challenges. The majority are Democrats, but the group also includes Republicans. The announcement is meant to be a market signal to American makers of cars and light-duty trucks.

​​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. 

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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."

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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.

425 Magazine: City of Redmond Joins Initiative to Electrify Municipal Fleets

Climate Mayors is a bipartisan network of mayors from across the United States committed to climate action. The goal is to electrify at least 50% of municipal fleets by 2030 and increase electric vehicle charging infrastructure by 500% by 2035, with at least 40% of charging investments to benefit disadvantaged communities, a release said. 

"Electrifying municipal fleets and building our charging infrastructure is key to building a green economy in Redmond,” said Redmond Mayor Angela Birney in a press statement. “By investing in sustainable transportation alongside fellow Climate Mayors, we not only reduce emissions, but also lay the foundation for new opportunities for innovation and sustainability in our community.”