TAKING CLIMATE ACTION
hat is the WCommunity
Climate Action Plan?
T
he Cedar Rapids City Council declared an urgency for our community to take climate action, calling for the creation of a Climate Action Plan in February 2020.
Our Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) centers on equity and builds on our community’s existing strengths in sustainability. The plan’s goal areas and action items relate directly to the targets of Council’s climate resolution, including significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions; resilience to climate hazards; and access to basic needs — including clean air and water, healthy food, parks and nature with lots of amenities, green jobs, and direct connections to City government — for Cedar Rapids’ most underserved residents.
View the Plan Read through the CCAP at CityofCR.com/Climate.
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The plan’s two key goal areas are:
CARBON-FREE RESILIENT & ACCESSIBLE In all, the plan has 24 actions, including areas like enhancing transit and shared transportation options, developing sustainable business and development policies, preparing for electric vehicle infrastructure, protecting water quality, and developing a food access policy.
All 24 actions and more details can be found in the Community Climate Action Plan at CityofCR.com/Climate.
How We Built the Plan To develop the Community Climate Action Plan, the City used public surveys, focus groups, and an advisory committee — encompassing several months of planning and public engagement — to integrate the community’s priorities. Community is in the name, after all! The Cedar Rapids community provided extensive input on the plan. Initial engagement included virtual introduction sessions, along with online and in-person surveys translated into several languages. A Community Climate Advisory Committee also met to provide equitable community perspective and guide the development of the CCAP. Focus groups — including such stakeholders as small businesses, neighborhood groups, nonprofits, schools, large businesses, and local industries — provided additional valuable input on the plan.