Jersey City Council Adopts Climate Action Plan

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Jersey City councilors adopted the city's first Climate and Energy Action Plan at Thursday night's meeting.

In a unanimous vote, the councilors approved the 103-page plan that sets a path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance projects that save money and energy.

The plan consists of over 50 individual actions for reducing the city's carbon footprint, including a new Community Solar Program specifically for renters and low-income homeowners, energy and emission requirements for new and municipal buildings citywide, and provides the strategic framework for other wide-ranging efforts to decrease the city's environmental impacts.

The Fulop Administration committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80-percent by the year 2050. The plan highlighted that Jersey City, being a bi-coastal city, is uniquely positioned to be vulnerable to future sea level rise and coastal storms.

"This Action Plan expands upon our efforts in the fight to protect our environment with actionable steps to mitigate climate change, increase resiliency, invest in a green economy, and ensure equity," said Mayor Steven Fulop. "The consequences of climate change disproportionately impact minority and low-income communities, and so it is especially important for Jersey City to continue our aggressive and progressive efforts by incorporating community feedback to address our environment's worst health offenders."

View the Climate and Energy Action Plan here.