Council adopts 2025 Environmental Sustainability Action Plan, delays city-operations carbon neutrality target to 2040

The Redmond City Council voted unanimously Dec. 2 to adopt the 2025 Environmental Sustainability Action Plan (ESAP) as part of the consent agenda (Resolution 1616).

Public commenters presented divergent views ahead of the vote. Chong Chen, executive director of the United Hub, urged approval and described a six-month outreach effort with focus groups and multilingual events to gather input from first-generation immigrants and seniors. By contrast, David Morton, who commended the engagement process, urged the council not to approve the plan as a consent item and criticized a change that shifts the city operations carbon-neutral target from 2030 to 2040; he asked for a cost estimate, identification of barriers, and stronger interim targets to demonstrate sustained progress.

Council Vice President Forsyth and Council President (speaker 22) said they supported approving the ESAP at the meeting while acknowledging the public’s concerns and the need for further study in the new year. The president said staff had responded to feedback by specifying a 2040 target in the plan and committed to returning with milestone reporting so the council can hold the city accountable.

The consent agenda (which included Resolution 1616 and multiple ordinances and personnel resolutions) was approved on a voice vote; President Kritzker announced, "Motion carries 6 to 0." The ESAP will now move to implementation steps tracked by staff, with council members indicating they expect follow-up reports on interim milestones and contingency plans for grid capacity and emissions reductions.