The Office of Climate and Sustainability works with City departments, community organizations, and New Haven residents to advance and coordinate city-wide climate and environmental sustainability policies, practices, and initiatives. The Office seeks to implement climate mitigation and adaptation solutions that intersect with and address the immediate challenges facing our residents: from finding safe and affordable housing, to accessing quality employment opportunities, to improving air quality and respiratory health.  Our work is particularly focused on addressing the health and economic impacts of climate change in underserved communities that have been hit the hardest by COVID-19 and are still overcoming the legacy of redlining.

In 2019, the City of New Haven formally recognized the urgency of the climate crisis by adopting a Climate Emergency Resolution calling for ending community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2030. In 2021, the City adopted its Community Electrification Resolution, committing the City to electrifying City buildings and vehicles in the same time frame. The following year the City approved the Safe Routes for All Active Transportation Plan, which maps out a city-wide bicycle network and lays out plans for pedestrian and transit improvements. These efforts build upon prior public policy initiatives including the City’s 2018 Climate and Sustainability Framework and the Move New Haven transportation study in partnership with the state of Connecticut Department of Transportation.