Berkeley Climate Action Plan 

The Berkeley Climate Action Plan Executive Summary and Full Report are available for download. In 2006, Berkeley voters issued a call to action on the climate change challenge by overwhelmingly endorsing ballot Measure G. The mandate was simple but bold: Reduce our entire community’s greenhouse gas emissions by 80% below 2000 levels by 2050. The ballot measure directed the City to develop a Climate Action Plan to achieve that target.

Adopted by the Berkeley City Council on June 2, 2009, the Berkeley Climate Action Plan is the result of the community-based climate action campaign that the Berkeley voters set in motion. The plan is rooted in the vision for a sustainable Berkeley that emerged from the climate action planning process.

The Community Progress Towards 2020 Goal Chart below is a high-level snapshot of our community’s progress toward the Climate Action Plan goals for the year 2020. The community’s target for the year 2020 is to reduce community-wide GHG emissions 33% (below 2000 levels). Per the chart below, as of 2010, the community achieved nearly 50% of its year 2020 target for diverting waste from the landfill, over 20% of its electricity reduction target, and approximately 6% of its natural gas reduction target. To review Climate Action Plan goals and progress in more detail, please visit Climate Action Plan Progress.
Vision for a more sustainable Berkeley outlined in the Climate Action Plan:

• New and existing Berkeley buildings achieve zero net energy consumption through increased energy efficiency and a shift to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind
• Public transit, walking, cycling, and other sustainable mobility modes are the primary means of transportation for Berkeley residents and visitors
• Personal vehicles run on electricity produced from renewable sources or other low-carbon fuels
• Zero waste is sent to landfills
• The majority of food consumed in Berkeley is produced locally
• Our community is resilient and prepared for the impacts of global warming
• The social and economic benefits of the climate protection effort are shared across the community

Get involved, make the vision a reality! Join one of the working groups of the Berkeley Climate Action Coalition.  The Coalition is made up of local non-profits, educational institutions, businesses, faith-based organizations, public health organizations, neighborhood groups, government agencies and committed individuals, all working together to implement the Berkeley Climate Action Plan.

To learn more about the plan itself, download and read the Climate Action Plan:
Berkeley Climate Action Plan Executive Summary OR Berkeley Climate Action Plan Full Report  

Additional Information:

• Progress on Climate Action Goals: Track our progress on Climate Action Plan core strategies & goals
• Climate Action Plan Progress Report: Download the report to see how we are doing in meeting our goals
• Climate Action Plan: Read or download a copy of the Climate Action Plan
• Take Action on Climate Change: Learn how you can be part of the solution
• Climate Action Plan Programs and Services: Check out local and City sustainability programs
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory: Find out where emissions come from in Berkeley

Back to homepage of Office of Energy and Sustainable Development