On Tuesday, July 13th, with help from CPO, a caucus of Chicago’s metropolitan mayors released one of the first regional climate plans in the United States. It calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% from 2005 levels by 2050, and highlights ways to equitably build climate resilience and a vibrant economy at the municipal level.
Created to call municipal leaders to action, the 2021 Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region is co-authored by CPO’s Communication, Education, and Engagement (CEE) Division and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves and NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad spoke at the launch, among other prominent climate champions. “This climate action plan is an excellent step toward achieving a net-zero, climate-resilient economy for the Chicago metro region. This plan can serve as a national model for metropolitan areas across the country,” said Graves in a NOAA press release about the event. “Ambitious pushes like this will unleash climate innovation, leading to better technologies and good-paying jobs.”
“The Chicago Region’s plan can serve as a model for multijurisdictional, regional collaboration on climate action,” said Dr. Spinrad. “NOAA stands ready to facilitate the development of similar plans across the United States.”
Local (Daily Herald, PBS Chicago) and national media outlets (E & E News, The Hill) covered the event.
