Five years after launching the Columbus Climate Action Plan, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther is reaffirming the City of Columbus’ commitment to reducing pollution by 45% and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
As prescribed in the original Climate Action Plan published in 2021, the city underwent a process to review and update the plan in 2025. The update includes adjusting the plan to reflect community progress and pathways to success. Major adjustments include stronger residential and commercial energy efficiency goals to reflect progress made and opportunities for advancement. Updated science on tree canopy targets was also included to reflect tree canopy’s role in storing carbon and reducing climate change. The updated version of the Columbus Climate Action Plan can be found here.
“Five years ago, we set an ambitious course with our Climate Action Plan because the future of Columbus depends on the actions we take today. This updated plan reflects the progress our community has made and the urgency that remains. By listening to our residents and implementing solutions based on their feedback, we are positioning Columbus to be a healthier, more sustainable and more prosperous city for everyone.”
The city also partnered with multiple local agencies to create the first-ever Central Ohio Climate Action Plan. This plan covers 10 counties across Central Ohio and outlines a coordinated set of actions to improve air quality, promote equity and support economic opportunities, all while empowering communities across the region. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) will lead the Central Ohio Climate Action Plan and work with local communities across Central Ohio.
“As Central Ohio continues to grow, we have a unique opportunity to ensure our region grows better as it grows bigger. The development of the Central Ohio Climate Action Plan is a testament to the power of regional cooperation. By bringing together community leaders, stakeholders and residents, we are making smart, data-driven decisions that prioritize long-term resilience and protect our natural resources. This collaborative planning is not just about the environment; it is about building a more connected and prosperous region where every neighborhood can thrive for generations to come."
As part of both plans, the city and MORPC launched a campaign to engage residents on climate action. The goal was to provide inclusive and meaningful ways for residents to share the needs of their communities. Over 600 residents participated in engagement activities, 450 were surveyed and more than 130 community leaders were engaged.
Survey highlights include:
– 83% of residents reported experiencing hotter summers
– 65% of residents reported being concerned about air quality
– 62% of residents reported experiencing warmer winters on average
– 52% of residents reported experiencing heavy rain events
Residents surveyed also provided their thoughts for potential solutions, which included increased tree cover, increasing energy efficiency in homes and businesses, increasing access to recycling, increased public transit, reducing food waste in landfills, increasing composting and increasing installation of solar energy systems.
The city has already taken steps in several of these areas to make improvements for Columbus residents. Since putting the Columbus Climate Action Plan in place, the city has:
– Implemented a clean energy aggregation program, providing 100% clean energy and over $60 million in utility savings to participants
– Increased recycling pickup from every-other week to weekly
– Created nine Food Scrap Drop-off locations for composting and opened two Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers
– Created the comprehensive Bike Plus Plan with a vision of 500 miles of proposed bikeways
– Supported LinkUS, which will support bus rapid transit development and an estimated $60 million annually for sidewalks, bikeways and trails
– Increased the city’s total number of street trees to more than 142,000 and inventoried more than 23,000 trees
– Installed 45MW of new solar energy generation on city property through the Division of Power, including on a former landfill site.
MORPC also continues to advance regional sustainability goals through diverse initiatives, including greenway trails, air quality monitoring, commuter programs and electric vehicle infrastructure. MORPC also provides income-eligible residents with free home energy efficiency and safety services, along with IMPACT Community Action and other agencies across the region. These weatherization efforts help keep homes comfortable year-round while significantly reducing energy costs.
