Austin Climate Action and Resilience

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Comprehensive Climate Action Plan

A healthier, more resilient future for our region starts with a shared vision—and a clear path to get there.

Three photos, left to right - exterior of the Hays County Courthouse with trees and green grass, aerial view of bridges over the Colorado River in Travis County, buskers play in front of a wall of greenery in downtown Bastrop.

The Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown region has an opportunity to address climate change while creating meaningful benefits for residents, businesses, and communities. The Comprehensive Climate Action Plan outlines how. 

Developed by the City of Austin in partnership with local governments and community members across Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson Counties, the plan identifies strategies to reduce emissions while supporting a healthier, more connected, and economically resilient region. 

Achieving these goals requires collaboration among local governments, businesses, organizations, and communities. This plan provides a shared roadmap for partners to advance climate action across the region. Reach out for support or to discuss partnership opportunities 

Dive into the Strategies

The Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) includes 27 emissions reduction strategies across four sectors that deliver climate benefits and address community priorities. The plan highlights each strategy's climate, economic, and community impacts and outlines potential funding sources. Dive into the strategies below. 

    By 2050, transportation strategies could reduce nearly 19 million metric tons of CO₂e, create 648 jobs, and contribute $7.6 billion in community value through workforce earnings, air quality health savings, and other benefits. 

    Aerial view of intersecting highways at Mopac Expressway at I-183.

    Transportation Strategies:

    • Adopt policies that support and develop complete communities

    • Expand public transportation

    • Develop regional rail

    • Expand bike, pedestrian, and micromobility infrastructure for all ages and abilities

    • Expand transportation demand management programs

    • Support electric vehicle adoption

    • Reduce fleet and heavy-duty vehicle emissions 

     

    Read the Transportation Section

     

    By 2050, land and water strategies could reduce 58 million metric tons of CO₂e, create 855 jobs, and contribute $1.5 billion in community value through workforce earnings, air quality health savings, and other benefits.  

    Workers in the distance walk across a field of crops.

    Land and Water Strategies:

    • Expand land conservation, restoration, and management programs and policies
    • Expand tree planting and care programs and policies
    • Support and build nature-based infrastructure
    • Support low-carbon food systems
    • Support low-emission farming practices
    • Expand water conservation efforts
    • Expand water reuse and storage efforts 

     

    Read the Land and Water Section

     

    By 2050, building and electric power strategies could reduce nearly 12 million metric tons of CO₂e, create 188 jobs, and contribute $6.7 billion in community value through workforce earnings, air quality health savings, and other benefits. 

    A set of solar panels in a field in Austin with power lines in the background.

    Buildings and Electric Power Strategies:

    • Adopt energy and building codes, standards, and rating systems
    • Expand and promote building energy efficiency programs  
    • Support utilities to install grid-interactive technologies for buildings
    • Install solar, battery storage, and energy efficiency projects at municipal facilities
    • Reduce refrigerant emissions
    • Build utility-scale carbon-free electricity generation and storage infrastructure
    • Install distributed solar and battery storage infrastructure  

     

    Read the Buildings and Electric Power Section

     

    By 2050, strategies in this sector could reduce 6.6 million metric tons of CO₂e, create 517 jobs, and contribute $3.8 billion in community value through workforce earnings, air quality health savings, and other benefits. 

    An open curbside composting bin filled with food scraps.

    Waste, Materials, and Industry Strategies:

    • Expand programs to reduce, divert, and compost food and organic waste
    • Support infrastructure for organic waste recovery and biogas production
    • Expand reuse and circular economy programs
    • Reduce single-use plastic purchasing
    • Collaborate to reduce semiconductor and high GWP gases from industrial processes
    • Support the use of low-carbon concrete for construction 

     

    Read the Waste, Materials, and Industry Section

     

    A women in the foreground using a bike lane. A person waits to board a CapMetro bus in the background.

    From planning to investment

    EPA awards Austin a $47.9 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant

    In July 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it was awarding a $47.9 million grant to a coalition of Austin-area transportation organizations—a direct result of regional climate planning efforts. Austin Transportation and Public Works is leading implementation of the grant, using the funding to help commuters access sustainable commute options, particularly as major construction projects disrupt standard travel patterns. 

     

    The City of Austin is proud to be a recipient of a $1 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. This grant was allocated through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program.  

    Questions?

    For information or to learn how to get more involved in the project, contact our office.