2025 Climate Action Plan

The Climate Action Plan (CAP) is a vital document for the City of Evansville, originally adopted in 2021, that outlines the community’s commitment to addressing climate change. Developed in partnership with the Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute, the CAP aims to create immediate and lasting environmental benefits while bolstering economic development, improving air quality, and reducing waste. Organized into four key impact areas—transportation, buildings and energy, waste, and local food, agriculture, and green space—the plan identifies actionable steps to lower greenhouse gas emissions in our community.

In light of recent developments, including the Inflation Reduction Act, the Evansville Climate Collaborative recognizes the need to revise the CAP. The relaunch of the agency under new leadership marks a renewed focus on comprehensive climate strategies. The revision process, which began in 2024 using grant dollars from the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program, aims to create an actionable plan that helps achieve the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by 2030, 35% by 2040, and 50% by 2050. The revised plan is expected to be completed and formally presented to the council in early 2025.

This revision is being undertaken in collaboration with Keramida, a professional consultancy experienced in assisting municipalities with Climate Action Plans. Their expertise will guide the revision process, ensuring it is both effective and aligned with best practices.

A crucial component of the CAP revision will be extensive stakeholder engagement, which involves collecting input from local residents, businesses, and organizations to ensure that the revised plan reflects the community’s needs and priorities. Additionally, a thorough data analysis will be conducted, including a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory, which assesses current emissions levels and identifies areas for improvement. This data-driven approach will help formulate targeted actions and policies.

Ultimately, the revised Climate Action Plan will serve as a dynamic framework for Evansville, enabling the community to respond effectively to climate challenges and fostering a more resilient future for all residents.