Climate and Equity Plan pushes for cleaner, more equitable future

The City of Milwaukee is aiming to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and improve racial and economic equity by creating green jobs that pay at least $40,000 and are focused on recruiting local people of color. These are the primary goals stated in the City’s Climate and Equity Plan that will be before various Common Council committees. Introduced by lead sponsor Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, file #221233 is an ordinance adopting the Climate and Equity Plan and amending the Citywide Policy Plan as part of Milwaukee’s Overall Comprehensive Plan, and directing its implementation.

“As individuals and as a city we must do all we can to reverse the harmful effects of climate change as soon as possible. I see the adoption of this community-led plan as the most important thing we can do as legislators and that I can do as a parent. We owe it to future generations to stop talking and start taking strong actions which will result in cleaner air, water, and land for us all to enjoy. Climate change is real, it’s getting worse, and we have a thoughtful plan to help us do our part to stop it now,” said Alderwoman Dimitrijevic.

In 2019, the Common Council adopted a file creating the City-County Task Force on Climate and Economic Equity for the purpose of making recommendations on how to address the ongoing climate crisis, ensure Milwaukee meets the obligations set forth in the Paris Climate Accord, and mitigate racial and economic inequity through green jobs. The Task Force then presented a preliminary report in May 2020, and final recommendations in March 2022.

The three years of work included a collaborative effort between the Environmental Collaboration Office, Task Force, City representatives, nearly one hundred working group members, professional consultants, and other experts all participating to develop and draft the final Climate and Equity Plan, which can be viewed at Milwaukee.gov/ClimatePlan.

“I am extremely grateful and appreciative of everyone who contributed to the Task Force process over the last several years with their hard work and dedication,” said Task Force member Rafael Smith. “We have given the city of Milwaukee a huge opportunity to restore what was lost due to deindustrialization and that’s bringing great green jobs here to Milwaukee for our most marginalized and neglected communities, especially on Milwaukee’s north and south sides.”

In support of its top line goals, the Climate and Equity Plan includes 10 Big Ideas for Action. These strategies can be achieved in collaboration among government agencies, businesses, community-based organizations, and other partners. Among the 10 ideas are: Green Jobs Accelerator; New Net-Zero Home Energy Upgrades; People-Centered Transportation and Urban Design; Protect and Restore Nature in the City; and Waste Reduction and Sustainable Consumption.

“The Climate and Equity Plan puts Milwaukee in position to pursue millions of dollars in federal funds to support new clean energy technologies, housing improvements, and other modern infrastructure that is good for our residents,  businesses, and the environment,” said Erick Shambarger, who leads the City’s Environmental Collaboration Office. “With Milwaukee’s fiscal challenges, this plan helps create a more sustainable future.”

File #221233 will first be heard by the Council’s Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, followed by a hearing in front of the Finance and Personnel Committee at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14. Public comments can be made at all meetings, and Finance and Personnel Committee Chair Alderwoman Dimitrijevic invites the public to provide any comments electronically here.

All committee meetings will be streamed live on the City Channel (channel 25 on Spectrum Cable and channel 99 on AT&T U-Verse in the City of Milwaukee) and via streaming video on the city website at city.milwaukee.gov/Channel25. Additional information, including a plan summary, can be viewed here.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.