Office of Sustainability & Climate Justice

Overview

The Office of Sustainability and Climate Justice (OSCJ) leverages the City of Cleveland’s wealth of assets by collaborating with the community to improve its economic, environmental, and social well-being of citizens. Best known to the public as Sustainable Cleveland, the OSCJ was created with the vision of transforming Cleveland into a green city on a blue lake. OSCJ works to do this by reducing Cleveland’s carbon footprint and creating healthy resilient neighborhoods through sustainable and equitable actions, community advocacy, and governmental policies. 

Sustainability and Climate Justice mean improving the quality of life for current populations and generations to come. From improved air and water quality to increased bike infrastructure and decreased greenhouse gas emissions. The City of Cleveland has been recognized and celebrated around the globe for its integral role in the formation of the modern environmental movement and for advancing climate action, innovation, advocacy, and engagement. 

The Cleveland Climate Action Plan (CAP) sets the framework and focus areas to creating a more sustainable Cleveland. These include strengthening our economy, cleaning our environment, and improving the health and wellness of our residents. The Office works with other City departments, residents, and key external partners to implement projects and programs that address environmental injustices and the mitigation of climate change.

Sustainable Cleveland has grown in scope due to the determination of residents, businesses, and community members to help shape vibrant communities, innovate, collaborate, and restore Cleveland’s flourishing natural environment. While there is much to celebrate, we must continue to accelerate progress by continuing to implement CAP goals and scaling up success.

Climate Action in Cleveland

The Cleveland Climate Plan (CAP) is the framework and guiding implementation plan of sustainability and climate action throughout the City of Cleveland.

Climate Change is having a wide-ranging impact on people and the environment in Northeast Ohio. These impacts exacerbate existing challenges by putting additional stress on vulnerable populations, infrastructure, and ecosystems. In recent years, negative effects of climate change such as extreme heat, air pollution, and energy burden have disproportionally impacted communities of color and low-income residents.

The CAP outlines five focus areas and several cross-cutting priorities that identifies objectives, goals, and specific actions needed to build a thriving and resilient City:

• Energy Efficiency and Green Building
• Clean Energy
• Sustainable Transportation
• Clean Water and Vibrant Green Space
• More Local Food, Less Waste

Through climate action, Cleveland can cement its place among world leaders on climate change. These measures will help preserve a healthy planet for generations to come and drive investment in local businesses and infrastructure that will allow the City to thrive.

Sustainable Cleveland Municipal Action Plan

The Sustainable Cleveland Municipal Action Plan (SC-MAP) focuses specifically on municipal operations within the City of Cleveland. The purpose of the SC-MAP is to accelerate progress in a more coordinated manner through City divisions and departments by helping to identify opportunities that advance sustainability through operations.

The SC-MAP defines overarching greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals by implementing 25 actions within five focus areas:  

• Design, Construction, and Maintenance 
• Energy
• Transportation
• Water
• Materials Management and Purchasing

In conjunction with the Cleveland Climate Action Plan, the SC-MAP can help the City engage municipal employees on: 

• sustainability efforts
• reduce fleet motor vehicle costs and emissions
• increase employee satisfaction, productivity, and health, while lowering utility bills from constructing high-performing buildings and retrofitting existing  

Cleveland’s Clean and Equitable Energy Report

The City of Cleveland was the first city in the state of Ohio to commit to powering itself with 100% clean and renewable energy sources by 2050. To help us achieve this critical goal, an action-oriented roadmap known as Cleveland’s Clean & Equitable Energy Future was developed.

The report includes a deep analysis of current and projected future energy use by the City of Cleveland and the community. It includes modeled scenarios which demonstrate various Clean Energy Pathways the City can take to reach its 100% renewable electricity demand target.

These pathways enable the City to achieve its goal of 100% clean energy, while also generating millions of dollars of public benefits. These stem from utility bill savings and reducing energy burden for residents, the creation of green jobs, and public health benefits for Clevelanders.
 

A Certified LEED Silver City

In 2021 the City of Cleveland announced its LEED Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USBGC). This is a national recognition of Cleveland’s long-standing commitment to improving quality of life through sustainability and climate action. LEED enables Cleveland to measure and track outcomes against key metrics that include energy, water, waste, transportation, education, health, safety, prosperity and equitability. Cleveland is part of a global network of more than 100 certified cities and communities.

The City of Cleveland achieved LEED Silver certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions aimed at improving sustainability and the standard of living for residents.