Four cities join Seattle and Atlanta as six of 20 cities total to be awarded with resources and technical support to help achieve their ambitious climate goals

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – Today, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Action and former New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg joined Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) President Rhea Suh at the Griffith Park Observatory to announce California cities Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose as well as Portland, Oregon as the next round of winning cities for the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge. These four cities join Seattle and Atlanta, which Bloomberg announced last month. The Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge is a $70 million-dollar program that will accelerate 20 cities’ efforts to tackle climate change and promote a sustainable future for residents. Through the Climate Challenge – which is part of Bloomberg’s American Cities Initiative, a suite of more than $200 million in investments to strengthen city halls and advance critical policies – Los Angeles, Portland, San Diego, and San Jose are accepted into a two-year acceleration program that will provide cities powerful new resources and access to cutting-edge support to help meet or beat their near-term carbon reduction goals.

Bloomberg highlighted the cities’ innovative and ambitious climate action plans for the Challenge, all aimed to reduce air pollution and city-wide emissions with specific projects to reform their respective transit and buildings sectors – two areas traditionally responsible for 80% total of all citywide emissions and over which mayors have significant authority. Bloomberg recognized Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo for their commitment to ambitious climate action and securing a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment and economy for their residents.

“The response to our Climate Challenge was overwhelming,” said Michael R. Bloomberg. “Cities all across the country put forward thoughtful and innovative proposals. Selecting the ones with the most ambitious goals – and the most realistic plans for reaching them – was not easy. But Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, and Portland all stood out, and we’re glad to include them in the group of winners. With Washington asleep at the wheel, cities need to step up in the fight against climate change – and these cities are leading the way. Congratulations to them all.”

“Leadership on climate change has always come from cities, because our residents can’t afford the costs of inaction and the consequences of delay,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “With Bloomberg’s generous investment, Los Angeles will be able to accelerate our bold commitments in our Sustainable City pLAn, uphold the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, and continue to lead the world in clean energy innovation. Together, we’re making a real difference for our planet and our people.”

“The Paris climate agreement is a promise we made to our children—and we’re going to keep it,” said Rhea Suh. “The American Cities Climate Challenge gives cities the tools they need to lead the way. With cities generating the majority of the fossil fuel pollution driving climate change, and bearing the brunt of its impacts, fighting climate change begins in City Hall. These mayors are committed to delivering a brighter, more hopeful tomorrow for future generations.”

As Climate Challenge winners the cities will receive resources including a philanthropy-funded team member to facilitate the development and passage of high impact policies, training for senior leadership to assist with implementation of their proposed climate plans, and citizen engagement support to maximize community buy-in. Today’s winners will work with NRDC and others to implement their plans, specifically:

Los Angeles plans to accelerate several of the City’s primary climate goals around emissions reduction and energy consumption, primarily through investments in sustainable transportation options and a decarbonized building stock. Specifically, the city will work with Bloomberg Philanthropies and partners to support the Twenty-Eight by ’28 initiative, the Metro NextGen Bus Restructuring effort, and MTA’s Ridership Initiatives; continue efforts to improve safety for people walking and biking; begin planning a fossil fuel free zone; and accelerate building clean energy transformation through standards, incentives and training programs.

Portland plans to use support from the Climate Challenge to reduce climate pollution in transportation and promote renewable energy use throughout the city, working to manage congestion by eliminating any growth in single-occupant vehicle trips in the Central City and expanding incentives that make it easier for all Portlanders to walk, bike or take public transport instead of drive. In working with Bloomberg Philanthropies and partners, Portland will additionally establish two community-based renewable energy projects.

San Diego plans to utilize benefits to increase active transportation and transit use and propel the city to its 100% renewable energy goal. Additionally, San Diego will work with Bloomberg and partners on the ground to: develop a comprehensive mobility application to make transit and active transportation an easier choice for San Diegans, incorporating community partners such as the local transit authority; amend the land use code to remove barriers to more carbon-friendly transportation choices and incentivize new housing developments near quality transit; and design and implement a 100% renewable energy program.

San Jose plans to use support from the Climate Challenge to focus on turbocharging the implementation of Climate Smart San Jose. Specifically, San Jose will work with Bloomberg and partners to: develop and implement a shared electric-vehicle strategy, including education and incentives; implement high-priority segments for the City’s walking and bicycling network and the inclusion of new mobility options such as bike- and scooter-sharing systems; develop a roadmap to eliminate natural gas use in residential housing; and requiring solar and EV-readiness in new construction.

The Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge builds on the America’s Pledge initiative, which aims to keep the U.S. in the Paris Agreement, and underscores Mike Bloomberg’s dedication to climate action investments that translate city commitments into tangible climate achievements. Bloomberg will continue to announce the winners of the Climate Challenge on a rolling basis this year, highlighting the ongoing, ambitious, and impactful actions cities are taking every day to address the growing threat of climate change.

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About Bloomberg Philanthropies

Bloomberg Philanthropies works in 480 cities in more than 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2017, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $702 million. For more information, please visit www.bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter.

About the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge

Recognizing that cities account for more than 70% of global carbon emissions, the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge was formed with an investment of $70 million to enhance the work already being done by mayors across the U.S. and to support cities in the fight against climate change. The Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge aims to go beyond the theoretical and scale up high-impact urban climate solutions that are already proven to succeed – specifically, from the buildings and transportation sectors. World-class partners for the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge will be led by the Natural Resources Defense Council and Delivery Associates. The Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge is part of Mike Bloomberg’s American Cities Initiative, a suite of more than $200 million in investments to strengthen city halls and advance critical policies.