Cleveland Climate Action Plan

Cleveland Climate Action Plan
Name	Cleveland Climate Action Plan
Location	Cleveland, Ohio
Adopted	2019
Lead	City of Cleveland
Targets	Net-zero by 2050 (municipal and community-wide)
Sectors	Energy, Buildings, Transportation, Waste, Water, Public Health

Cleveland Climate Action Plan is a municipal climate strategy developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. It was produced through a partnership involving the City of Cleveland, regional agencies, academic institutions such as Case Western Reserve University, and community organizations including the Cleveland Climate Coalition. The plan aligns with national and international efforts like the Paris Agreement, the United States Conference of Mayors climate initiatives, and regional efforts led by the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency.

Background and development

The plan emerged from earlier sustainability efforts such as the Cleveland City Planning Commission initiatives and the Cleveland Neighborhood Progress revitalization programs, building on inventories performed by groups like the Sustainable Cleveland 2019 initiative and technical analyses from Great Lakes Science Center partners. Development was informed by stakeholder consultations with representatives from Cleveland Public Power, Cleveland Foundation, labor unions including United Auto Workers, and nonprofit partners such as Cleveland Botanical Garden and Cleveland Metroparks. Funding and technical support drew on grants and partnerships with federal entities like the Environmental Protection Agency and philanthropic support from foundations such as the MacArthur Foundation.

Goals and greenhouse gas targets

The plan sets targets consistent with regional pledges and scientific guidance from bodies like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and national policy frameworks such as the Clean Air Act-driven programs. Its headline goals include achieving deep reductions in community-wide greenhouse gas emissions and reaching municipal carbon neutrality by mid-century, aligning with pledges made by the C40 Cities network and the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy. Targets reference baseline inventories using methodologies similar to those of the Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GPC) and scenario analysis used by universities such as Cleveland State University.

Mitigation strategies and sectors (energy, buildings, transportation, waste)

Mitigation measures emphasize decarbonizing electricity via projects with Cleveland Public Power, procurement of renewable energy credits through markets connected to regional transmission organizations like the PJM Interconnection, and deployment of distributed generation modeled after examples from Brooklyn Navy Yard partnerships. Building-sector actions draw on retrofit programs inspired by Energy Star and financing mechanisms such as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) and collaboration with institutions like Gordon Square Arts District developers. Transportation strategies prioritize electrification compatible with Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority fleets, expansion of electric vehicle charging networks similar to other cities backed by the Department of Energy workplace charging challenge, and active-transport infrastructure linking to corridors adjacent to Ohio State Route 2 and the Cleveland Lakefront State Park. Waste-sector interventions include zero-waste pilot programs modeled on San Francisco and anaerobic digestion partnerships with regional waste authorities like the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District.

Adaptation and resilience measures

Resilience planning incorporates flood mitigation along the Cuyahoga River and shoreline strategies for Lake Erie influenced by research at the University of Toledo Lake Erie Center and the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. Measures include green infrastructure installations in neighborhoods such as Detroit-Shoreway and Slavic Village, urban forestry programs coordinated with Davey Tree Expert Company-supported initiatives, and heat-health response plans developed in consultation with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and hospital systems like University Hospitals and MetroHealth Medical Center. The plan references lessons from extreme-weather events like the 2014 Polar Vortex and lake-effect flooding episodes.

Implementation, governance, and funding

Implementation is overseen by a municipal steering committee comprising representatives from the Office of Sustainability (Cleveland), the Cleveland City Council, Cuyahoga County, utilities such as FirstEnergy, and academic partners including John Carroll University. Governance leverages interagency agreements with entities like the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and procurement reforms modeled after City of Boston practices. Funding combines municipal bonds, state programs such as the Ohio Development Services Agency incentives, federal grants from agencies like the Department of Transportation and EPA, and philanthropic investments from organizations such as the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Monitoring, reporting, and progress

Progress tracking uses greenhouse gas accounting consistent with the Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emissions and data systems interoperable with platforms used by networks like ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the American Cities Climate Challenge. Regular reporting to stakeholders is coordinated through public dashboards similar to those of New York City and annual reviews presented to bodies such as the Cleveland Planning Commission and the United States Conference of Mayors. Early progress metrics include reductions in municipal energy intensity, electrification of transit pilot fleets in partnership with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, and incremental expansion of renewable procurement from projects sited in the Great Lakes region.

Public engagement and community programs

Community outreach leverages neighborhood-based organizations like Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization, faith groups including Cleveland Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, labor partners such as the Service Employees International Union, and educational programs with Case Western Reserve University School of Law clinics and Cleveland Metropolitan School District curricula. Public programs include workforce training aligned with apprenticeships promoted by the Cleveland Building and Construction Trades Council, distributed solar co-op models modeled after Solar United Neighbors, and equity-focused initiatives developed with groups like the Environmental Justice Coalition for Cuyahoga County. Engagement platforms mirror tactics used by civic campaigns such as the Sustainable Cleveland 2019 festivals and mayoral town halls conducted by the Office of the Mayor of Cleveland.

Category:Climate action plans