The Allegheny County Climate Action Plan will focus on strategies for county operational sustainability, as well as community-level opportunities for mitigation and resiliency.

Phase I Summary

The Department of Sustainability kicked off the Climate Action Plan (CAP) development process in early 2025, with the goal of identify ways to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and improve quality of life in Allegheny County. The completed CAP will include strategies for county government as well as community wide.

During Phase I, the Sustainability team attended over 40 community events, directly engaging with over 2,500 residents and 80 organizations. This included hosting 30 regional coordination meetings concerning climate action, forming the Climate Working Group (CWG) with over 55 non-profit organizations, utility companies, technical assistance providers, and local business leaders, and receiving 530 responses to the first survey. From feedback from so many community members, the CAP vision. goals, and values were drafted.

Vision

An Allegheny County where all people thrive and have a healthy environment because we take climate action together, for our neighbors and for future generations.

Goals

By 2050, Allegheny County has healthy communities and a healthy environment, as well as affordable energy, convenient transportation, quality housing, and economic opportunity.

By 2050, Allegheny County, both geographical county, and county operations, will be carbon neutral.

Values

1. Equity and Inclusion: Ensure equitable access to climate solutions and meaningful participation in decisions, prioritizing historically underserved communities
2. Healthy Communities and Environment: Improve the health of people and the health of local ecosystems
3. Economic Opportunity: Increase economic prosperity by creating opportunity and lowering costs

Phase II

Now in Phase II of this plan, Allegheny County is identifying strategies, actions, and responsible parties to lead the effort to meet the community-identified goals, vision, and values for a more sustainable future. As the framework is being developed, it's essential to the CAP that values are front and center, and the Allegheny County community can continue to provide feedback to ensure the plan, and the strategies and actions, contribute to a more equitable and inclusive, healthy, and prosperous Allegheny County, while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

View the community-wide greenhouse gas inventory.

Next Steps

As part of Phase II of the CAP, the Sustainability team hosted four community meetings throughout the county in October 2025, and meeting recordings are available in English and Spanish. For community members who may have missed the meetings, there is still time to share feedback. Review the Climate Action Plan public meeting presentation, and provide feedback using the Phase II survey below.

The success of the CAP is reliant on the feedback of as many Allegheny County residents, businesses, and organizations as possible. Together, we can build a better future for Allegheny County.

Keep an eye out for more community meetings and opportunities to engage in early 2026.