Climate Action Plan
Definition
A strategic roadmap outlining how a city will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for climate change impacts like extreme heat, flooding, and severe weather. Effective climate plans include emission reduction targets, adaptation strategies, equity considerations, implementation timelines, and progress metrics. Louisville’s 2019 Climate Action Plan set a goal to achieve 100% renewable energy community-wide by 2040.
Louisville Context
Louisville released a Climate Action Plan in 2019 but has made limited progress implementing key strategies. The plan identified transportation (36% of emissions), electricity (31%), and buildings (21%) as major emission sources. Implementation has been hampered by lack of dedicated funding and staffing. Louisville has no Chief Sustainability Officer or dedicated Office of Sustainability to drive implementation.
Why It Matters
Climate change isn’t a distant threat—Louisville already experiences more frequent flooding, intense heat waves, and severe storms. Without serious climate action, these impacts will worsen, disproportionately harming low-income communities and costing taxpayers more in emergency response and infrastructure repairs.
Dave’s Proposal
Dave will create an Office of Sustainability within the Mayor’s Office, staffed by a Chief Sustainability Officer and 5-person team (funded within $1.025 billion budget) to implement the Climate Action Plan. He’ll accelerate renewable energy adoption for Metro buildings, expand TARC service to reduce transportation emissions, and prioritize climate adaptation investments in vulnerable neighborhoods.