Seattle's Leadership on Climate Protection

Since Mayor Nickels launched the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in 2005 (now with over 850 mayors signed on), Seattle has been recognized as a leader in taking actions that will save energy, improve communities, and inspire others to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Seattle Climate Action Plan, released in September 2006, is the roadmap for the City of Seattle’s goal of reducing global warming pollution by 7% below 1990 levels by 2012. The Plan outlines how the City government will reduce its "carbon footprint," how residents can help via the Seattle Climate Action Now campaign and how businesses can participate in the Seattle Climate Partnership. We all have a vital role to play in Seattle’s climate protection goals.

The Plan’s first progress report was released in fall of 2007, and will be updated again this fall. To learn more about what all the City’s departments are doing, visit the Climate A-Z page.

Other City Links

Green Ribbon Commission on Climate Protection
Sustainable Communities Overview
Bike Master Plan
Pedestrian Master Plan (in progress)
City Light conservation program
Recycling and waste reduction
Neighborhood Climate Protection Fund
Seattle reLeaf (urban forest)
Clean Green Fleet Plan (2007)
Green Building

Other Links

Sierra Club’s Cool Cities campaign
American University and College Presidents’ Climate Commitment
US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Center

"The reality of global climate change is urgent. The stakes are high - locally and globally - and we need to act. As a City government, we've already cut our greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% compared to 1990 levels. But it's not enough - we need to work together as a community to set responsible limits on global warming pollution." Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels

What Others Are Saying About Seattle

Other Cities | Environmental Leaders | Business Leaders | Other Community Leaders

Other Cities

"I certainly commend Seattle and Mayor Nickels for taking on this issue…I'm appalled by the refusal of our federal government even to acknowledge global warming and climate disruption as a problem. We can't wait for this vacuum of leadership to fill. Since 1997, Burlington has joined cities across the country in working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the reduction goals of the Kyoto Protocol."
- Mayor Peter Clavelle, City of Burlington , VT

"In Salt Lake City we have been working diligently since 2002 to meet the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal set forth in the Kyoto Protocol. If every local and state government entity, every business, and every individual takes available, effective measures to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we can reverse the trend toward global warming. If we do not, the consequences will be devastating."
-- Mayor Rocky Anderson , City of Salt Lake City , UT

"We agree global climate disruption is a serious threat to our local economy and quality of life. Cities need to lead the way. We join Mayor Nickels and the City of Seattle in taking and promoting more local action, in our region and across the country, to reduce global warming pollution."
-- Mayor Rosemarie Ives, City of Redmond , WA

"We congratulate Seattle on its bold programs and look forward to cooperating to build a better world…The City of Oakland has set a goal of 15% reduction by 2010, which is beyond what Kyoto calls for the US to achieve. We are looking at 70% reduction of GHGs by 2050, which is what many scientists believe is needed to protect our future. We are in support of the United States surpassing the Kyoto green house gas reduction targets."
-- Mayor Jerry Brown, City of Oakland , CA

"We welcome the opportunity to join in this effort initiated by Seattle, a city Boulder has looked to over the years as a role model of environmental leadership and innovation. Boulder adopted the Kyoto Protocol goals in 2002, and we look forward to working with Seattle and other cities across the country in showing that as local governments we can make real progress on climate change while improving our economy and quality of life."
-- Mayor Mark Ruzzin, City of Boulder, CO

"Increasingly, cities are providing the answers to some of America's toughest problems. So it's fitting that we're leading the way on global warming as well."
-- Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, Madison , WI

Environmental Leaders

"It's now clear that the effort to stop global warming in the United States will be led by the cities and states -- not the federal government. No other city is currently doing more than Seattle, and I'm delighted that Mayor Nickels plans to keep Seattle in the vanguard on this awesome issue."
Denis Hayes, Bullitt Foundation, February 2005

"The Sierra Club commends Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels for leadership on climate change, and his support for clean cars and buses...In the face of climate change, President Bush and his administration are not merely silent, they are dangerously irresponsible, rejecting the needs of Americans, and international calls for cooperation. Thank goodness for cities like Seattle. By operating more cleanly and efficiently, Seattle will grow stronger economically, and enhance its reputation as a wonderful place to live. Seattle is showing the way, and its leaders deserve credit."
Carl Pope, Executive Director, Sierra Club

"By this action Seattle joins the ranks of Fortune 500 CEOs and governments worldwide who are tackling global warming. It's good for business, good for the community and good for the world"
Steve Howard, CEO, The Climate Group, International NGO, headquartered in London

"Global" climate disruption is a local issue. We feel the impacts locally, we cause the problem locally, and now Seattle is taking it to the next level in demonstrating how we can pioneer solutions locally. Best of all, they're showing how climate solutions help us build a healthier, more prosperous community. It's all about leadership."
KC Golden, Policy Director, Climate Solutions

Business Leaders

"Starbucks applauds the City of Seattle's bold climate protection efforts and shares in the belief that this is a critical global issue that necessitates leadership action from all sectors in our community."
Orin Smith, President & CEO, Starbucks

Other Community Leaders

"Mayor Nickels and the City of Seattle are doing absolutely the right thing to help curb global warming and protect our region's economic vitality. The actions they are announcing today put them in a significant leadership role and help send the message to Washington, D.C. that we, along with many other cities, counties and states around the country, are serious about the issue."
Dennis McLerran, Executive Director, Puget Sound Clean Air Agency