Climate Forward SLC
In 2025, we’re updating our strategy, called “Climate Forward SLC”, and focusing on key priorities for the next five years. We’re doing this as we prepare to welcome the world to our city again during the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games, respond to our changing climate, and keep moving toward our 2030 and 2040 goals.
Tell us what you think – take the survey!
Climate change is happening. Our commitment to addressing it– and adapting to our changing world– is stronger than ever.
In 2016, Salt Lake City adopted a joint Mayor-Council resolution to achieve 100% renewable energy for our community by 2032 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% percent by 2040 (compared to a 2009 baseline). In 2019, the City moved its target date for 100% renewable energy up two years, to 2030.
A lot has changed since the City first committed to climate action. We have achieved a lot, learned a lot, and been faced with new and evolving challenges. It’s time to affirm the City’s climate goals, refresh our approach, and focus on the critical steps we need to take in the next two to five years.
We have a lot more work to do. And we need your help.
Why this Matters
It’s important to do what we can to reduce pollution. This is the pollution that makes our air unhealthy and our communities hotter. Crucially, all of the steps we’re taking have many other benefits, too.
When buildings are more efficient, we use less energy and save money. Adding more rooftop solar lets us use the free power of the sun to cool and run our homes. Safer, more reliable options for walking, biking, and public transit make it easier to get around, stay active, and spend less. And healthy, easy-to-reach green spaces give us cooler places to go on hot days and make our neighborhoods better places to live.
What We’re Doing
The updated plan and short-term priorities will help guide City staff, investments, and partnerships across key areas like energy, buildings, transportation, and waste.
We’re also working to strengthen community health in our hotter, drier climate—looking at things like food system resiliency, water, and green spaces. Finally, we’re exploring how these efforts can support more affordable living and help grow a strong economy with good jobs and a well-trained workforce.
The Climate Forward SLC planning effort will be guided by three overarching goals:
Reaffirm the City’s commitment to our 2040 Climate Goals
Reaffirm the City’s commitment to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and 80% emissions reduction by 2040 by aligning efforts across City departments, community initiatives, and partner organizations.
Prioritize Climate Strategies that are Scalable and Equitable
Focus on strategies that cut emissions, save money, create jobs, and build healthier, more resilient neighborhoods. Ensure that the benefits of these solutions reach those most in needs.
Identify Actionable Solutions and Fill Gaps
Develop actionable solutions that tie long-term targets with short-term decisions and budgets. Fill in gaps missing or ongoing actions needed to meet City’s climate goals.
More Information
Learn more about the challenges we face and how these actions can help make our community healthier, more livable, and more resilient.
Get Involved
- Take the survey
- Request a Conversation Kit (coming soon).
- Sign up for the SLCGreen Newsletter
- Find other ways to get involved.
2016 Climate Plan Summary & Outcomes
The “Climate Positive 2040” roadmap was created to describe the high-level strategies the City was taking to achieve the climate reduction goals issued by Joint Declaration 33 of 2016. These goals, issued by both the Mayor and City Council, include:
- 100% renewable electricity by 2030 (updated from 2032 in a 2019 resolution)
- 80% reduction in community greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 (in comparison to a 2009 baseline), with a stepwise goal of 50% reduction by 2030
Since then the roadmap has supported the city’s work towards these goals, covering the topics of:
- Renewable Energy
- Clean Transportation
- Highly Efficient Buildings
- Air Quality
- Sustainable Food
- Zero Waste
“Climate Positive” also highlighted the importance of collaboration with regional and state partners, the City organization’s work to reduce its own emissions, and what was then the emerging topic of resilience. It also pointed to actions that SLC residents and businesses can take to help achieve these community goals.
Why We Are Updating the Plan
The City’s renewable energy and carbon reduction goals remain in place, but it’s important to re-visit the strategies to achieve them, including what YOU think is most important. It’s also time to focus on the critical steps we need to take in the next two to five years.
Climate & Energy Resources
- US Department of Energy: Job Growth in the Clean Energy Sector
- Clean Coalition: The Value of Clean Local Energy
- US Department of Energy: Energy Saver Guide: Tips on Saving Money and Energy at Home
- PlayCore: The Benefits of Greening Urban Neighborhoods
- Better Homes and Gardens: 6 Surprising Benefits of Planting Trees
- UNICEF: Air Pollution
- American Lung Association: 10 Tips to Protect Yourself from Unhealthy Air
- Utah Clean Air Partnership
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: Indoor Air Quality