Committee forwards mayor’s 20 appointees to new Sustainability and Climate Commission to full council with recommendation for confirmation

The Climate Resilience and Land Use Committee voted unanimously on April 24 to forward the mayor’s appointments and alternates for the new Sustainability and Climate Commission to the full Portland City Council with a recommendation that the council confirm the nominees.

Vivian Satterfield, the city’s chief sustainability officer, and Elaine Viska Livingstone, the commission coordinator, told the committee the commission will advise the mayor, the city administrator and council on climate action, environmental justice and accountability, and will evaluate and help shape the city’s next climate action plan.

Satterfield said the commission framework was developed after the Planning and Sustainability Commission was disbanded and following charter reform and public listening sessions that called for a climate oversight body centered on frontline communities. She said the ordinance establishing the Sustainability and Climate Commission was approved by the prior council in May 2024.

Viska Livingstone described the commission’s structure and duties: 20 active members with at least four designated youth seats (ages 16–24), five alternates, staggered four‑year terms for…