QUICK SUMMARY
Tacoma City Council approved the 2025 Climate Action Plan Update on July 8, aiming to enhance community resilience against climate change. The update serves as a roadmap for city investments and initiatives to improve infrastructure, local economy, and public health. Council member Kristina Walker emphasized the urgency of addressing climate impacts, citing examples from other cities facing severe consequences.
The Tacoma City Council unanimously approved the 2025 Climate Action Plan Update on July 8, which aims to bolster community resilience against the impacts of climate change. This update succeeds the original 2030 Climate Action Plan, which had expired, and introduces new initiatives while retaining existing targets. Extensive community engagement conducted by the Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability helped identify changes in local priorities. Council member Kristina Walker underscored the urgency of the plan, referencing the severe climate-related challenges faced by other cities. Tacoma faces significant climate threats, including deteriorating air quality due to transportation emissions and wildfire smoke, rising sea levels threatening coastal infrastructure, and the urban heat island effect exacerbating health risks. The plan outlines specific actions for improving mobility and land use, such as a finance strategy for the Vision Zero initiative aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities. The city collaborates with Pierce County to ensure a coordinated regional approach to sustainability. Tacoma aims for long-term improvements in public health, infrastructure, and the local economy through this updated climate strategy.