September 15th, 2022
Today, County Executive Adam Bello signed into law the Monroe County Climate Action Plan with the goal of reducing the county’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80% by 2050. The framework uses the county’s current GHG output as a baseline for the reduction goal and outlines actions needed to reach its target.
“The launch of our Climate Action Plan fulfills a promise I made to combat the impacts of climate change on our region, securing a healthier future for our children,” said County Executive Bello. “This plan will build on our current operations to continue our reduction in greenhouse gasses. Our success will be a guide for businesses and other municipalities as they embark on similar initiatives. Thank you to the Monroe County Legislature and the Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee for their work on this important plan.”
In March 2020, the Monroe County Legislature authorized the creation of a Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee to create a Climate Action Plan for the county. The committee measured the county’s current GHG emissions, identified reduction goals, reviewed best management practices and case studies, and recommended actions needed to meet the county’s 80% reduction goal by 2025.
The plan includes two-phases — phase one targets emissions from county-run sites, facilities, and operations. The Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee will begin to develop the plan’s second phase this month with a focus on private industry operations and land use. The second phase of the plan is scheduled to be completed by December 2023.
“The Phase I Climate Action Plan is the result of two years of sustained effort by individuals passionate about ensuring the quality of life in our community by mitigating the effects of greenhouse gas emissions,” said Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee Co-Chair, Matthew O’Connor. “My thanks to our Monroe County Legislators, Monroe County employees, students and residents who all helped make this document a reality. We are grateful to County Executive Adam Bello for prioritizing the Climate Action Plan and to the Monroe County Legislature for overwhelmingly passing this resolution.”
"Addressing climate change provides Monroe County an opportunity to take bold steps toward creating a healthier, more equitable and more resilient community,” said Legislator Michael Yudelson, co-chair of the climate action plan advisory committee. “I thank County Executive Bello for his commitment to our environment and thank my fellow committee members for their hard work on this Phase 1 plan. I look forward to continuing our efforts as we develop the Phase 2 plan and hope our efforts can serve as a model for other jurisdictions."
The Climate Action Plan is a framework for prioritizing future policies and projects to reduce GHG emissions. An audit of the plan will occur in 2025 and further reviews will occur every five years to measure the county’s progression towards its goals. The results of the audits will be public and will drive decision-making.
