Climate Ready DC wins Cities4Tomorrow Award from C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies
CHICAGO, IL – December 5, 2017 – Washington, DC was one of ten cities honored today at the fifth annual C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards ceremony, recognizing the world’s most inspiring and innovative cities tackling climate change. The awards ceremony, which took place at the North American Climate Summit in Chicago, highlighted 10 urban sustainability projects from around the world that represent the most ambitious and innovative efforts by cities to tackle climate change. As one of two cities to win the Cities4Tomorrow award, the District was selected to win for its Climate Ready DC plan, which establishes a long-term commitment to climate resiliency that will impact the city’s transportation, buildings, neighborhood design, and policy structure.
C40 received 174 applications from 92 cities, which were then assessed by a selection committee of urban sustainability and climate change experts at C40 and Sustainia to identify 25 finalists. An expert jury panel comprising former mayors and climate experts selected the winning urban sustainability projects based on excellence in urban planning and dedication to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving resiliency.
“Cities are helping nations reach the goals they set under the Paris Agreement, including in the U.S. Because cities share common challenges, each of these winning projects has the potential to improve lives around the world – while also improving our odds in the fight against climate change. Congratulations to all the winners,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, C40 President of the Board and U.N. Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change.
“We’re proud to receive this important recognition for Climate Ready DC – the District’s down payment on building a more climate resilient city,” said Tommy Wells, Director of the Department of Energy and Environment. “We are honored to be recognized among so many leading cities who are taking local action for global results.”
Today’s award comes on the heels of Mayor Bowser’s announcement on Monday committing to make the District of Columbia carbon-neutral and climate resilient by 2050. By joining dozens of other C40 member cities in committing to becoming net-zero, DC is building on its Sustainable DC and Clean Energy DC goals to cut carbon emissions 50 percent by 2032. The District’s previous goal was an 80% reduction by 2050; now, the city will develop and implement a roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100% in that same time frame.
The commitment to become carbon-neutral and climate resilient by 2050 is the latest action the Bowser Administration has taken to prepare for climate change and ensure DC is sustainable and resilient for future generations. Since taking office, the Administration launched Climate Ready DC; released a draft of the Clean Energy DC plan to cut carbon emissions with renewable energy and energy efficiency; established the DC Green Bank which will help create jobs, expand solar power, lower energy costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; finalized the largest municipal wind power purchase agreement deal of its kind in the United States; and began work on the largest onsite municipal solar generation in the country. Earlier this year, the Administration launched Sustainable DC 2.0, a collaborative citywide effort to update the District’s landmark sustainability plan.