Climate Action Plan
Allegheny County’s Climate Action Plan will create a vision and roadmap for greener, healthier communities, and sustainable, efficient county operations and programs that reflect the voices of the community.
Get Involved
Hearing from as many Allegheny County residents, organizations, businesses, and public agencies as possible is a critical priority in the development of the Climate Action Plan.
Allegheny County Climate Action Plan
The Allegheny County Climate Action Plan (CAP) will include ways to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, including strategies for county government and for the county as a whole. Part of this initiative aims to create new jobs, help people save money on energy bills, support local businesses, protect parks and natural areas, and improve people's health. All of this will make life better for everyone in Allegheny County.
From April 2025 to November 2026, the Allegheny County Sustainability Department is working with a team of experts to create its first Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP is being guided by feedback from Allegheny County residents, local organizations, business owners, and government agencies through a robust engagement process. Community- informed and data-driven, the team will create a plan that is aspirational yet achievable.
CAP Development Summaries
Partnering organizations in the planning efforts include ICF, evolveEA, Allen & Shariff, Black Girl Green World, and Na'Toria.
The CAP is being developed in close coordination with similar efforts throughout the region, as well as the ongoing Allegheny County Hazard Mitigation Plan and Comprehensive Plan, to ensure community voices are reflected, important feedback and data are shared, strategies and recommendations are aligned, and cost-savings are recognized. The CAP will align with and incorporate information from municipal, regional, and state CAPs that have already been completed, including:
Please contact the Sustainability Department for more information about planning efforts and upcoming community events.
Phase I Summary
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
- Equity and Inclusion: Ensure equitable access to climate solutions and meaningful participation in decisions, prioritizing historically underserved communities
- Healthy Communities and Environment: Improve the health of people and the health of local ecosystems
- Economic Opportunity: Increase economic prosperity by creating opportunity and lowering costs
Phase II Summary
In Phase II of this plan, Allegheny County identified 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 was developed, it was essential to the CAP that values were front and center, and that the Allegheny County community could continue to provide feedback to ensure the plan, and the strategies and actions, contributed to a more equitable and inclusive, healthy, and prosperous Allegheny County, while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
View the community-wide and county operations greenhouse gas inventory(PDF, 1MB).
The Sustainability team hosted four community meetings throughout the county in October 2025. Meeting recordings are available in English and Spanish, and the Climate Action Plan public meeting presentation(PDF, 7MB) is available for review.