CINCINNATI - Bloomberg Philanthropies has named Cincinnati a winning city in the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge.

The Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge is a $70 million program that will accelerate 20 ambitious cities’ efforts to tackle climate change and promote a sustainable future for residents. Through the Climate Challenge – which is part of Bloomberg’s American Cities Initiative, a suite of more than $200 million in investments to strengthen city halls and advance critical policies – Cincinnati is accepted into a two-year acceleration program and will be provided powerful new resources and access to cutting-edge support to help meet or beat the city’s near-term carbon reduction goals.

Bloomberg Philanthropies selected Cincinnati as a winning city because of their innovative and ambitious climate action plans to reduce air pollution and citywide emissions with specific projects aimed at reforming their respective transit and buildings sectors, areas which are typically responsible for 80% total of all citywide emissions and over which mayors have significant authority. Bloomberg Philanthropies also recognizes Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley for his commitment to ambitious climate action and securing a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment and economy for Cincinnati residents, businesses and visitors.

Cincinnati's awarded funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies is roughly $2.5 million.

“Cities are helping to keep America moving forward on climate change despite the lack of leadership from Washington, and this challenge was designed to help innovative mayors reach their goals,” said Mike Bloomberg, UN Special Envoy for Climate Action. “We were looking for cities with ambitious and realistic plans to cut emissions in ways that improve people’s lives, and mayors committed to getting the job done. Each of these winning cities brings those ingredients to the table - and we’re looking forward to working with them and seeing what they can accomplish.”

“Cincinnati’s sustainability efforts continue to gain national and international attention. It has become clear that cities and local municipalities will lead the global effort to fight climate change, and Cincinnati is on the front lines,” said Mayor John Cranley who announced the award during a press conference at City Hall. “I am encouraged by the changes we are making, but we have a lot of work left to do.”

“The Paris climate agreement is a promise we made to our children—and we’re going to keep it,” said Rhea Suh, President of the Natural Resources Defense Council. “The American Cities Climate Challenge gives cities the tools they need to lead the way. With cities generating the majority of the fossil fuel pollution driving climate change, and bearing the brunt of its impacts, fighting climate change begins in City Hall. These mayors are committed to delivering a brighter, more hopeful tomorrow for future generations.”

Cincinnati plans to use this support to meet the sustainability, equity and resilience goals set forth in the Green Cincinnati Plan, and Bloomberg Philanthropies will work the City Administration and Mayor’s Office to achieve the following actions by 2020:

• Install large-scale renewable generation to power the Greater Cincinnati Water Works utility
• Power the municipal energy load with 100% renewable energy
• Advance energy efficiency programs for the commercial and residential buildings sectors including the development of a robust 2030 District to engage corporate partners around sustainability.

As Climate Challenge winners, the 20 winning cities will be accepted into a two-year acceleration program with powerful new resources and access to cutting-edge support, led by experts at the Natural Resources Defense Council, Delivery Associates and others, to help them meet – or beat – their near-term carbon reduction goals, from creating high-impact policies to putting them into action. These resources include a philanthropy-funded team member to facilitate the development and passage of high impact policies, training for senior leadership to assist with implementation of their proposed climate plans, and citizen engagement support to maximize community buy-in.

Building on the America’s Pledge initiative, which aims to keep the U.S. in the Paris Agreement, the Climate Challenge underscores Bloomberg’s dedication to action as this investment will translate city commitments into tangible climate achievements. Bloomberg will announce the remaining winners of the Climate Challenge on a rolling basis throughout the fall, highlighting the ongoing, ambitious, and impactful actions cities are taking every day to address the growing threat of climate change.

About Cincinnati Sustainability Efforts

Cincinnati has a strong track record on climate action. In May of 2018, Cincinnati adopted the Green Cincinnati Plan, which includes 80 strategies to reduce the city’s carbon emissions 80% below 2006 levels by 2050. With underlying themes of sustainability, resilience, and equity, the Plan focuses on energy, transportation, food and more.

For its efforts, Cincinnati received recognition as the “2018 Most Sustainable Metro Region in the United States" by Site Selection Magazine for the second consecutive year.

“We are already making significant progress toward our climate targets, and this will help us go further faster,” said Office of Environment and Sustainability Director Larry Falkin.

“The Green Cincinnati Plan development was a year-long process to create a shared vision of our sustainable future,” said Sustainability Coordinator Oliver Kroner. “Being selected by Bloomberg for the American Cities Climate Challenge will help make that community vision a reality.”

You can learn more about the City of Cincinnati's green initiatives by visiting cincinnati-oh.gov/oes