The City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County jointly established the City-County Task force on Climate and Economic Equity, sponsored by then Milwaukee County Supervisor, Supreme Moore through Common Council File 190445.
The Task Force was formed to make recommendations on how to:
-
Reduce community-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 45% by the year 2030 and achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner.
-
Reduce racial and income inequality by assuring that greenhouse gas reduction investments and policies will create the maximum number of permanent living wage green jobs for people who live in the most impoverished Milwaukee neighborhoods with limited economic opportunity.
The Task Force writes in its Preliminary Report, "A comprehensive climate action plan is a time-intensive endeavor; generally taking one to 2 years to complete and numerous years to implement. This preliminary report takes stock of the work already being done in this area around Milwaukee, charts a path to achieve ambitious medium- and long-term climate and equity goals, and provides recommendations for short-term solutions that may make an immediate impact."
At this time, the Task Force created four work groups to investigate and make recommendations on the following issues:
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions Assessment and Reduction Strategies
- Jobs and Equity
- Finance and Funding
- Education and Community Outreach
Throughout the year, members conducted video surveys, held events, and took part in dozens of working group meetings. These efforts drew citizen input for the plan to begin a starting draft on the "10 Big Ideas" for Milwaukee to focus on.
• Read more about their work below:
Following a year of research, ECO Director Erick Shambarger presented the the summary of the Task Force's working groups to the Council on "10 Big Ideas." A consultant was then hired to turn the recommendations into a formal draft for public review.
• Watch the Presentation to the Council's Steering and Rules Committee
The Our Future Milwaukee Coalition is a citizen coalition in support of the Climate and Equity Plan that will continue to advocate for the implementation of the 10 Big Ideas proposed in the document. All official communication about the Plan will be provided by the Environmental Collaboration Office. Sign up for the ECO Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the Plan's progress.
After more than a year of research and planning, the City unveiled a draft of the plan for public comment at at a public Town Hall at Milwaukee Public Library, online via English and Spanish surveys, and at community listening sessions across the city. Public feedback was then integrated into the final version of the plan to be presented to the Common Council for adoption.
• Watch a Video Recording of the Town Hall (In English & Spanish)
On June 23, 2023, Mayor Cavalier Johnson signed File #221233, adopting the Milwaukee Climate and Equity Plan as part of the Citywide Policy Plan contained in the City's Overall Comprehensive Plan. The ordinance requires that relevant City departments work towards its implementation, including pursuing necessary state and federal funding.
The resolution authorizes ECO to work with City departments, Milwaukee County, state agencies, public utilities, and relevant community organizations and businesses to advance the goals and strategies outlined in the plan. The plan also requires ECO to provide publicly available updates on implementation. Finally, the ordinance changes the City-County Task Force on Climate and Economic Equity to the City-County Advisory Board on Climate and Economic Equity and charges the body with reviewing implementation of the plan and directs the Board to submit an annual report to the Common Council on the status of the plan’s implementation.
