During a recent city council meeting, the climate team provided an update on their ongoing initiatives aimed at advancing the city's climate action framework. Stacey Dahlgaard, associate climate project coordinator, and her colleague Rebecca Small highlighted several key projects and strategies that are currently in progress.

The climate team is preparing to present a comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions report in September, which will detail the city's progress toward its emissions reduction targets. They emphasized the importance of the comprehensive plan as a critical tool for shaping the community's climate future, alongside initiatives like the wastewater solids renewal program and emergency management strategic planning, which address the impacts of climate change on local communities.

Dahlgaard outlined three major emissions reduction strategies being led by the climate program: the development of the city's first green buildings program, a citywide electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure strategy, and a building decarbonization program. These initiatives are funded largely through grants, with over $500,000 coming from the Washington Climate Commitment Act, which is currently facing potential repeal in an upcoming ballot initiative.

The team also discussed a solar plus storage project aimed at enhancing renewable energy and power security in emergencies, which includes community engagement efforts to ensure that vulnerable populations are considered in climate resilience planning. Recent outreach efforts involved engaging over 75 community members and organizations to gather input on improving preparedness for severe weather events.

In a significant move to engage youth in climate action, the city is launching its first youth climate leadership pilot program this fall. This initiative aims to empower high school students to participate in climate solutions and public policy, with applications currently open until August 4th.

The climate team underscored their role in fostering collaboration across city departments and with community organizations, aiming to build a culture of climate action. They plan to continue these efforts with a follow-up presentation on the greenhouse gas inventory scheduled for September 16th, which will align their strategies with the council's priorities and refine their approach to meet ambitious climate goals.