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Climate Protection
Climate Action Plan
As part of its commitment to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, the City of Charlottesville developed a Climate Action Plan to guide the city towards its emissions reductions goals. The Plan was adopted as an amendment to the 2021 Comprehensive Plan on January 17, 2023. Now that we are moving from climate action planning into implementation, we have published our 2023 Climate Action Work Plan. This is a high-level list of the climate-related initiatives and projects the City is working on this year to move our climate goals forward. It will serve as the foundation for our annual progress updates. We also invited partners across the community to include what they are doing to advance climate action in Charlottesville.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Goal
The City of Charlottesville has adopted a citywide GHG emissions reduction goal (which includes emissions resulting from residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental activities such as powering our buildings, transportation, waste, and water/wastewater). Learn more about Charlottesville's GHG emissions about emissions about emissions about emissions about emissions about emissions about emissions about emissions.
Reduce GHG emissions to 45% below 2011 levels by 2030
Achieve carbon neutrality by 2050
This GHG emissions reduction goal was adopted by City Council on July 1, 2019 following two public comment periods and a presentation of a draft goal. Agenda memos for City Council on May 6, 2019 and July 1, 2019 include comments and feedback from the community as well as resolutions informing the future development of a climate action plan.
Learn More and Stay Informed!
Sign up via Notify Me to receive notices when new Climate Action updates from the City are available. Select Climate Action in the list under "News Flash".
Activities of the Climate Protection Program are informed and supported by the Charlottesville Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories, the Local Climate Action Planning Framework (LCAPP), and the (under development) Climate Action Plans for GHG Emission Reductions and Climate Adaptation.
Some of Charlottesville's Commitments to Climate:
- US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (2006)
- Comprehensive Plan (2007; 2013; 2018; 2021)
- Charlottesville City Council Vision 2025: A Green City (2009)
- Global Compact of Mayors (2017)
- New Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target Adopted, setting goals for 2030 and 2050 (2019)
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Resilient Together to Host Virtual Open House
SAVE THE DATE for the Resilient Together Virtual Open House on Thursday, November 16, 6PM-7:30PM for an engaging, interesting, and informative conversation on climate protection! Read on... -
Charlottesville Proclaims October 4 as Energy Efficiency Day
Charlottesville joins over 1000 communities and organizations in recognizing Energy Efficiency Day Read on... -
Resilient Together. One Climate. One Community.
We are excited to announce the launch of Resilient Together, a new collaboration between Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville, and the University of Virginia. Read on... -
2023 Climate Action Work Plan Posted
Charlottesville’s Climate Program has released the 2023 Community Climate Action Work Plan Read on... -
Solarize Charlottesville Campaign is Open!
Interested in solarizing your home? Solarize Virginia has made it easier and more affordable than ever! Read on... -
New Resource: Heat Mitigation and Adaptation Guidebook
As summer temperatures rise in Charlottesville, learn how to stay cool. Read on... -
Charlottesville Releases Updated GHG Inventories
Charlottesville releases 2020 and 2021 Greenhouse Gas Inventory numbers Read on... -
Acting on Climate Together – March 15, 2023
Join us on March 15th for Acting on Climate Together! Read on... -
Charlottesville Climate Action Plan has officially been adopted!
On Tuesday, January 17, City Council officially adopted the Climate Action Plan as an amendment to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Read on... -
Planning Commission votes to advance the Climate Action Plan
Last night, on Dec. 13, 2022, at a joint meeting of the Charlottesville Planning Commission and City Council, the Planning Commission voted to recommend the Charlottesville Climate Action Plan as an amendment to the City’s Comprehensive Plan. Read on... -
Adopting Charlottesville's Climate Action Plan
Charlottesville's Climate Action Plan is moving forward for proposed adoption as an amendment to the City's Comprehensive Plan. This adoption process begins with a public hearing on December 13, 2022 with the Planning Commission and City Council. Read on... -
Next Steps for Charlottesville's Climate Action Plan
Last week, Charlottesville's Climate Action Plan was presented at a City Council work session. As part of moving the Climate Action Plan forward, the City continues to seek community feedback and involvement. Input is requested by Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022 Learn more ... -
Charlottesville's Climate Action Plan Available Online
Charlottesville’s Climate Action Plan is now available online and will be presented to City Council at the Monday, October 3, 2022 work session! Read on... -
Climate Action Plan to be Presented to City Council - 10/03/2022
On October 3, 2022, the Climate Action Plan will be presented to City Council at their afternoon work session. Additionally, the City's Climate Protection Program has add a new staff member! Read on... -
Upcoming Climate Action Listening Sessions & Town Hall Community Workshop
This August: Listening Sessions to provide an intentional space for voices in our community who are not traditionally involved in climate conversations, and, a Town Hall Community Workshop for all community members to provide input on GHG reductions. Read on... -
New Climate Planning Materials Available
New materials have been posted to the City's website for the Climate Action Plan and the Climate Vulnerability Assessment! Read on... -
Community Workshop: Help Charlottesville become Climate Resilient!
Please join the conversation on Thursday, June 9, 5 PM - 7 PM for a virtual Community Workshop to discuss the City of Charlottesville's Climate Vulnerability Assessment. Register in advance of the workshop, and the Zoom link will be sent to your email. Read on... -
Sign Up & Learn More about Solarize Charlottesville!
The City of Charlottesville is working with the Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) to bring another round of Solarize Charlottesville! Learn more & register for the June 7 virtual info session at SolarizeCville.org. Campaign ends June 30! Read on... -
Save the Date: June 9, 5PM - 7PM Community Workshop on Climate Vulnerabilities
Please plan to join us, fellow community members, and community organizations on Thursday, June 9, 5PM - 7PM for a final, virtual, Community Workshop to inform Charlottesville's Climate Vulnerability Assessment! Read on... -
Join Us at "The Fleet of the Future: Right Sized and Electrified"
We are excited to partner with Albemarle County, Virginia Clean Cities, and the University of Virginia for a community showcase of electric equipment. Read more for event details and activity schedule! Read on... -
Reminder - Climate Surveys Still Open, through May 20th!
There's still time to inform the City's two climate planning processes that are underway! Two climate plans - Two surveys - Open through May 20th! Read on... -
Climate Action at City Council Work Session on Monday, April 18
The City's Climate Protection Program will be presenting an update and preliminary content for the City's Climate Action Plan at the City Council Work Session on Monday, April 18, 4:00 pm. Read on... -
Surveys Open for Climate Action Planning
Surveys to inform climate action planning - both greenhouse gas reductions and climate vulnerability - are open for community input until Friday, May 20, 2022. Read on... -
GHG Emissions Data Updated on the City Website
Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) Inventories measure and track community-wide GHGs associated with activities within the City of Charlottesville's community. The City's website has been updated to make this data more accessible to the community. Read on... -
Summary Report from Community/Staff Forums Available - Climate Vulnerability Assessment Process
As part of the Climate Vulnerability Assessment Process, community members and staff considered vulnerabilities in Charlottesville's community systems. A summary report of this input is now available online. Read on... -
Urban Heat Island Mapping Data - Now Available!
Data and final report from the 2021 Urban Heat Island Mapping Campaign is now available! Read on... -
Join us on Jan. 20 for a Climate Action Together Roundtable Discussion
Climate change, and its associated stress on our community, is upon us. Join the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and the University of Virginia on January 20 for a roundtable discussion with local leaders in key affected community systems. Read on... -
Charlottesville Adopted New GHG Reduction Goals
On July 1, 2019, City of Charlottesville's City Council adopted new greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals informed by community input and the challenge posed by climate change, including the recent IPCC report. The new goals aim to achieve a 45% reduction Read on... -
Draft GHG Goals Open for Public Comment
At City Council's May 6, 2019 meeting, a compilation of community comments and input were presented along with draft greenhouse gas reduction goals. Community input was used to inform support for this level of commitment and to begin informing direction Read on... -
Charlottesville Recommits to Climate Action
City Council passed a resolution on June 19, 2017 as its "Response to the Announced US Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement". The resolution indicates continued commitment on behalf of Charlottesville to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and Read on...