Columbus Mayor announces the city's first-ever climate action plan

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther unveiled the city's first-ever Climate Action Plan on Thursday. The plan sets a goal of total carbon neutrality by 2050 and a 45 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

The city's proposed 2022 operating budget includes $10 million in funding to create additional clean energy jobs, expand energy efficiency initiatives, establish a regional Green Fund to incentivize solar projects and increase staffing for Sustainable Columbus, the city's existing sustainability initiative. The climate action plan also calls for converting the city's fleet of passenger vehicles to electric by 2030.

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther unveils the city's first-ever climate action plan at the Linden Community Center on Dec. 9, 2021.

Ginther said the plan is rooted in equity and environmental justice.

"This is a social justice issue. Those who are most likely to be affected by the fallout from a changing climate are also the ones who can afford it the least," said Ginther.

"Columbus and many other cities across Ohio are leading to fight against climate change when other policymakers in our state and federal level or fail to act," said Heather Taylor-Miesle, executive director for the Ohio Environmental Council. "We all deserve a healthy climate. We all deserve clean air and clean water. Columbus's Climate Action Plan sets the city on a path towards bold transformation."

Mayor Ginther said the plan will be updated every five years to reflect new knowledge and account for evolving climate conditions.

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