Board of Supervisors Renews Commitment to Collaboration to Reach Climate Action Goals
MILWAUKEE – Today, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution pledging to collaborate with the City of Milwaukee and other partners to apply for and accept grants aimed at achieving Milwaukee County’s climate action goals.
The resolution, authored by Supervisor Anne O’Connor and Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson, reinforces the County’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. It emphasizes the importance of partnerships with local governments to meet these targets and aims to address racial and income inequality through the creation of green jobs.
“This is the first resolution I’ve authored since becoming a supervisor, and it’s fitting that it centers on environmental justice—a top priority for my constituents and for me,” said Supervisor O’Connor. “The County made significant strides in 2021 by passing a comprehensive climate action plan with ambitious goals, but now is the time to reaffirm our commitment to collaboration in securing funding for climate action. The urgency of climate change, coupled with the County’s financial challenges, makes it essential to involve others in this effort.”
Chairwoman Nicholson, the lead author of the 2021 resolution committing Milwaukee County to becoming carbon neutral by 2050 and developing a strategic plan to achieve this goal, added: “Addressing climate change is a public health concern and an issue of equity. To become the healthiest county in Wisconsin by achieving racial equity, we must tackle this issue head-on. Milwaukee County has made significant strides since setting a goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, and I thank Supervisor O’Connor for her efforts to keep this important conversation going.”
The approved resolution directs the Department of Administrative Services – Office of Sustainability and the Office of Strategy, Budget, and Performance – Project Management Office (SBP-PMO) to apply for grants supporting climate action goals. Additionally, the Interim Director of Sustainability, in collaboration with SBP-PMO staff, is requested to provide a report for the September 2024 meeting cycle on their efforts to join the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program, funded by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, as well as other future grants.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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