SEATTLE — Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell signed an Earth Day executive order on Tuesday aimed at updating Seattle’s climate action plan and accelerating emissions reductions.
It directs departments to develop a new climate action plan focusing on growing a green economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The order includes near- and medium-term actions to reduce emissions from transportation, which is responsible for 58% of the city’s core emissions and growing, according to the 2022 greenhouse gas inventory.
It is the first update to the climate action plan since it was released in 2013. That plan focused on preparing for climate change, reducing emissions, and what the public can do to help.
“Climate change is impacting more parts of daily life than it did a decade ago,” said Harrell. “Hotter summers are making living and working more uncomfortable and often dangerous. Severe storms are damaging infrastructure and flooding homes, pollutants are worsening air quality, and much more.”
According to Harell’s office, Seattle has implemented and expanded several policies and programs to reduce buildings’ emissions, expand food waste prevention, and bring more electrified vehicles to the city.
