Kate Gallego and Yassamin Ansari Comment on The City of Phoenix Annual Climate Action Plan Progress Report

Perhaps the key takeaways from the City of Phoenix’s release last week of its Annual Climate Action Plan Progress Report are:

• Progress is being made to combat climate change and make Phoenix a leader in sustainability.
• More work needs to be done and the leadership in Phoenix is endeavoring to make that happen.

Over the last several years, the Phoenix City Council led by sustainability and clean energy champions Mayor Kate Gallego and council members such as former Vice Mayor and Congressional District Three Democratic Nominee Yassamin Ansari have pushed measures designed to combat extreme heat and climate change in the nation’s fifth largest city.

Among these measures were:

• Expanding the city’s light rail system.
• Streamlining the permit process for solar panel installation.
• Expanding Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.
• Adopting both Climate and Electrification Action Plans.
• Increasing bike lanes.
• Replacing the fossil fuel city bus fleet with a new fleet powered by either hybrid or fully electric engine systems.
• Promoting intensive recycling.
• Tree shading programs.
• Placing Cool Pavement on the city’s streets.
• Expanding cool corridors.
• Water Infrastructure and Conservation Projects.

Please click here to read the full report.

Among the results cited in the report were:

• A 20.5 percent decrease in gas emissions since 2012 although there was a slight uptick over the last two years.
• The construction of 18 miles of light rail.
• The ordering of 44 buses that are fueled by clean energy sources.
• 27 million gallons of water saved through the Homeowners Association Adult Program.
• 100 miles of cool pavement as of 2023.
• 75 percent of the city bus stops have manufactured shade.
• The planting of 6,400 trees.
• 74 City of Phoenix electric vehicles.

Commenting on the report when it was issued, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego wrote in a social media post:

“Phoenix is leading the charge on climate action. Today, we released our first Climate Action Plan Progress Report, showcasing recent efforts to cut emissions, build resilient infrastructure, and empower residents. The future of our city depends on the actions we take today, and we’re proud to be on track to become the most sustainable desert city in the world. As we continue working toward our goals, we’re excited to engage with our community as we begin updating our full Climate Action Plan in 2025, ensuring a collaborative approach to a sustainable future.”

Former Phoenix Vice Mayor and Congressional District Three Democratic Nominee Yassamin Ansari also offered her insights into the progress report findings and how she would build on those as a member of Congress, stating:

“I’m really proud of the work Phoenix has done on climate action over the last few years, both when I was on City Council and since then. From establishing the country’s first publicly funded Office of Heat Response & Mitigation to passing an ambitious fleet transition plan, to improving the water supply through conservation efforts and stormwater infrastructure, Phoenix is a leader on climate issues. Even just having this robust Climate Action Plan makes Phoenix a trailblazer among cities.

With this progress report, it’s great to see an overall decrease in Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs) from government entities and the community, and I look forward to supporting the city through federal legislation in Washington. In Congress, I’ll work to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy and make sure that as part of that transition, we are leading a fair transition for workers in those industries most affected. I’ll also work to increase funding for infrastructure that can help build Phoenix’s resilience to climate impacts and work directly with FEMA to declare heat as a natural disaster, something that could unlock immense resource management capabilities to support the city.”