City of Albany to create new climate action plan

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The City of Albany has announced that its officials and community members will be coming together to create a new Climate Action Plan. The plan will be called “Act Now Albany: Coming Together for Climate Action.”

The city’s new plan will include a climate vulnerability assessment and strategies for both city and community operations. Albany has already switched over to renewable energy for municipal operations, installed electric vehicle chargers across the city, planted thousands of new trees, and is building a solar farm on the North Albany Landfill, and this new plan will build on what has already been done.

According to city officials, the city will work to understand how extreme weather events are impacting residents, as well as the resources needed to stay safe from extreme heat, extreme cold, flooding, and storms. These events, called climate hazards, have become more frequent and more intense due to climate change.

Albany residents can take a climate vulnerability survey to help officials identify the most prevalent challenges and resources most needed during these events. Any resident who completes the survey will also be entered in a drawing for a $100 gift card.

City of Albany Director of Sustainability Jason West said, “While acting on climate is hard work, Albany is no stranger to that. With residents, businesses, nonprofits and city government working together, small actions can add up to big impacts. Together, we can chart a course toward a cleaner, healthier, and more just city — and show what’s possible when the capital of New York becomes an epicenter of climate action.”