Tucson Resilient Together surpasses climate action goals with $94M in grants and $121M investments

The Tucson City Council meeting held on January 22, 2025, focused on significant advancements in the Tucson Resilient Together (TRT) initiative, aimed at enhancing the city’s climate resilience and sustainability efforts. City Manager Tim Tom introduced the session, highlighting the progress made since the initiative's inception.

Chief Resilience Officer Fatima Luna presented the first annual progress report, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of city departments in implementing climate action strategies. Luna noted that the city had exceeded its goal of advancing 59% of the TRT plan's actions by the end of fiscal year 2024, achieving a remarkable 76% completion rate across various categories.

Key highlights from the report included the securing of nearly $94 million in climate-related grants, primarily from federal agencies such as the Federal Transit Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. The Department of Transportation and Mobility (DTM) was recognized for leading the charge, obtaining approximately 39% of these funds.

Additionally, city departments have invested over $121 million in climate-related projects, with DTM again at the forefront, contributing nearly $93 million towards improvements in mobility, pedestrian infrastructure, and roadway optimization. These investments were made possible through voter-approved propositions, underscoring the importance of community support for climate initiatives.

The meeting also addressed advancements in heat resilience, including the hosting of the first Southern Arizona Heat Summit and the approval of the city’s inaugural heat action roadmap. The council discussed the implementation of a heat protection ordinance for city contractors and an administrative directive to protect city employees from extreme heat conditions.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored Tucson's commitment to climate action and resilience, with plans for continued progress and community engagement in the coming year. The council expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts that have led to these achievements and emphasized the importance of ongoing support for climate initiatives.