Portland Releases 43-Step Climate Action Plan

The Portland City Council has released a draft 43-step plan to address the city’s climate emergency, declared in 2020. According to an article in Smart Cities Dive by Maria Rachal, the final plan will serve as the city’s climate action plan until 2025.

The plan seeks to target local emissions linked to electricity supply, buildings, transportation, and industry. It also attempts to minimize carbon related to the consumption of food, goods and materials; sequester carbon in trees and green spaces; and build community resilience to the impacts of climate change, particularly among the most vulnerable people.

“The city has two main carbon-reduction targets: cut carbon dioxide emissions 50% or more from 1990 levels by 2030 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.” Priority actions listed in the plan include investments in community-owned renewable power generation, energy-efficient retrofits on multifamily buildings, and ‘resilience centers’ built to protect residents during extreme weather, power outages, and other emergencies.

According to Rachal, “The work plan’s steps are not currently binding and have yet to be funded. Over the next three years, city bureaus and departments are to request funding and approvals from the city council.”