City of Columbus Receives Global Sustainability Recognition, Showcases Progress on Climate Action Plan
As the
City of Columbus approaches the one-year anniversary of its first-ever Climate Action
Plan, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) –a global environmental nonprofit
dedicated to supporting and advancing local climate action efforts – has
recognized Columbus as one of 122 “A List” cities and counties for taking bold
leadership on environmental action and transparency, despite various economic challenges
occurring around the world.
“Climate change is real, and its
effects are already impacting our neighborhoods,” said City of Columbus Mayor
Andrew J. Ginther. “That is why we launched the Climate Action Plan and are
working to bolster our resiliency while creating a cleaner, healthier Columbus
for our children and grandchildren. It is incumbent upon us to act while we can
still make a difference and share our progress with the community in a
transparent and proactive fashion.”
CDP
rankings are based on environmental data disclosed by local governments to the CDP-ICLEI
Track platform. To score an A, local governments must disclose their data,
maintain a community-wide emissions inventory, and have published a climate action
plan. A List governments must also complete a climate risk and vulnerability
assessment as well as possess a climate adaptation plan to demonstrate how they
will tackle climate-related hazards. Nearly 20,000 organizations disclosed data
to CDP-ICLEI Track in 2022, including more than 18,700 companies comprising 50%
of global market capitalization, and over 1,100 cities, states and regions.
“Congratulations to
Columbus for earning a spot on the CDP Cities A List — one of 49 cities and
counties in North America to make the list in 2022,” said Katie Walsh, head of
cities, states, regions and public authorities, CDP North America. “From
mitigating carbon emissions in line with science, to building resilience
against floods, drought and other climate hazards, to centering marginalized
and vulnerable communities in their response, A List local governments are
demonstrating best-practice environmental action. Columbus is in the vanguard
of cities and counties leading the way toward a climate-safe future.”
Over the past year, the
City of Columbus has also made significant progress toward meeting goals and
targets within its Climate Action Plan – which aims to achieve carbon
neutrality by 2050 and a 45% reduction in emissions by 2030 while imparting
equity and environmental justice. Accomplishments from 2022 include:
- Passage of an equitable EV Readiness Ordinance to
support the transition to zero-emission vehicles.
- Launched the Empowered! clean-energy jobs program in
partnership with IMPACT Community Action, focusing on communities of color,
women and opportunity neighborhoods.
- Announced weekly residential recycling pickup to begin
in 2023.
- Unveiled a solar-powered microgrid at the Tussing
Water Booster Station to continue providing safe, clean drinking water during
grid outages and times of climate crisis.
- Funded a Solar Co-Op campaign in
partnership with Solar United Neighbors to support residential onsite solar,
with over 260 Columbus-area residents joining the co-op.
- Participated in a national Urban Heat
Island mapping campaign to engage residents in how heat impacts the community.
- Partnered with IMPACT to receive a $2
million Department of Energy grant for deep energy retrofits for the American
Addition net-zero neighborhood effort.
Through its Sustainable
Columbus initiative,
the city is working with residents and community partners to build on these
achievements. Expanded staffing capacity, equitable engagement and transparent,
accessible goal-tracking will further advance the Climate Action Plan in 2023
and beyond.