We are currently in the process of updating the City’s climate plan.
This new plan, called Climate Forward SLC, focuses on critical steps we need to take in the next five years and what YOU think is most important.
Climate Positive 2040
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What is Climate Positive SLC?
“Salt Lake City is committed to protecting the public health and safety of its residents, including ensuring access to clean air, clean water and a livable environment.”
These are the opening words of a Mayor-Council Joint Resolution adopted on November 1, 2016 (No. 33 of 2016). The Resolution goes on to detail the scientific consensus regarding climate change, which is that the planet is warming and carbon pollution is a major driver of this, and the City’s commitment to address this challenge.
The Joint Resolution was updated in 2019 (No. 23 of 2019) to move the goal of achieving net-100% clean electricity for the community from 2032 to 2030.
Climate Positive SLC is the platform through which the City will document its progress on a variety of climate related goals. Through the Joint Resolution, the City resolves to achieve two interrelated goals:
- 100 X 2030: 100% Renewable Energy for Community Electricity Supply by 2030
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- GOAL includes 50% renewable electricity for municipal operations by 2020 (see 2016 resolution here).
- RESULT: In 2020, we announced the successful approval of a large renewable project (the “Elektron Solar Project”) to meet the majority of SLC municipal’s electricity needs.
- UPDATE: In 2021, the Elektron Solar Project broke ground in Tooele County and reached commercial operation in 2024. Read the latest updates about the Elektron Solar Project here.
- GOAL includes 50% renewable electricity for municipal operations by 2020 (see 2016 resolution here).
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- On the community side, Salt Lake City worked with Rocky Mountain Power and other communities to pass HB411, the Community Renewable Energy Act in 2019 which will allow us to meet our clean energy goals.
- UPDATE: Salt Lake City is collaborating with 18 other communities across the state to move forward on our net-100% clean electricity goal. Learn more on the Utah Renewable Communities website.
- On the community side, Salt Lake City worked with Rocky Mountain Power and other communities to pass HB411, the Community Renewable Energy Act in 2019 which will allow us to meet our clean energy goals.
- 80 X 2040: 80% Reduction in Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2040, Compared to 2009 Baseline
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- GOAL includes at least 50% reduction in community footprint by 2030.
- PROGRESS: Learn more about how the City is reducing emissions.
- GOAL includes at least 50% reduction in community footprint by 2030.
Salt Lake City is prioritizing a near-term transition to clean, renewable energy since carbon pollution from electricity generation represents over half of the community carbon footprint. In 2016, former Mayor Jackie Biskupski and then-Rocky Mountain Power CEO Cindy Crane signed a Clean Energy Cooperation Statement detailing goals, timing and scope for this vision.
Reducing emissions from other sources, including on-road transportation and natural gas used in facilities, will also be critical to achieving the 80 X 2040 goal. Climate Positive represents a holistic approach for Salt Lake City government, businesses and households to reduce carbon pollution and build resiliency to impacts and vulnerabilities in a warming world.
Click here to view Climate Positive SLC in full.
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What We’re Doing
Although climate change is considered a global crisis and impacts the security of the world’s nations, many of the natural resource, public health and infrastructure impacts associated with climate change are being addressed on a local community level.
Through a variety of efforts, including policy action, designing efficient buildings, sourcing renewable energy and installing solar on City buildings, implementing sustainable infrastructure, and shifting to alternative fuel fleets, Salt Lake City is working to plan for and mitigate the impacts of climate change on our community.
Click here to learn more.
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What You Can Do
How can you help? Click here to find several tools and resources to help you save money, reduce your energy consumption, and help Salt Lake City achieve its climate and energy goals..
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