Pittsburgh council adopts will of council endorsing Paris goals, urges federal talks on fossil fuel nonproliferation

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh City Council on July 28 unanimously approved a will of council resolution affirming the city’s support for the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and urging the federal government to take part in negotiations on a fossil fuel nonproliferation treaty.

Councilperson Strasburger presented the will of council, which the resolution described as opposing any rollback of climate and environmental protections and committing the city to policies that limit fossil fuel infrastructure expansion, reduce cumulative health and environmental burdens, lower energy costs for residents, and invest in a “fair and community led transition” for affected neighborhoods.

“Therefore, be it resolved that the council of the city of Pittsburgh affirms its commitment to the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and endorses the global call for a fossil fuel nonproliferation treaty,” Strasburger read into the record. The resolution also urged the federal government to join international negotiations toward such a treaty.

The will of council passed on a voice vote after a motion to approve; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript. The measure is advisory in nature and expresses council’s policy preferences; it does not by itself create a new city law or binding regulatory requirement.

Council members said the resolution signals the city’s continued focus on climate resilience, public health, and equitable economic transition for neighborhoods affected by fossil-fuel infrastructure.