On August 17, 2006, the Mayor and City Council of Kansas City, Missouri committed to take action by passing a resolution to join more than 300 U.S local governments and 770 local governments worldwide in reducing emissions of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions. City Council charged the City Manager and chief Environmental Officer to work with the community in developing the Climate Protection Plan.

In October 2006, former Mayor Barnes appointed an 11-member Steering committee to oversee the planning process. Under the direction of the Steering committee, the City Manager, and the City's Chief Environmental Officer, an intensive planning process was begun.

In Phase 1, four Work Groups met over a period of four months preparing recommendations for the Steering Committee's consideration to be forwarded to the Mayor and City Council for approval and adoption. On April 12, 2007, Phase 1 recommendations were adopted by the City Council and Phase 2 began.

In Phase 2, two Work Groups met over a period of eight months preparing recommendations for the Steering Committee. The Climate Protection Plan is the combination of Phase 1 and Phase 2 recommendations.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Goals

• City Government - reduce GHG emissions by 30% below year 2000 by 2020.
• Community-Wide - reduce emissions by 30% below year 2000 emission levels by 2020.
• The Steering Committee recommended that the City achieve a community-wide GHG emission goal of 80% below year 2000 levels by 2050 and focus on our long term outlook on becoming climate neutral. 

Greenhouse Gas Inventory Results (2017)

City Government - 40% emissions reductions since 2000.

Community-Wide - 21% emissions reductions since 2000

Climate Protection Plan Key Elements

• City Ordinance No. 060777- Establishing the climate protection planning process.
• Climate Protection Report of the City's Environmental Commission - 2006.
• Climate Protection Plan- Adopted July 2008 with Appendices
• Greenhouse Gas Inventory Updates
  • 2013
  • 2017
• Climate Protection Steering Committee
  • The Climate Protection Steering Committee (CPSC) is established to guide the process of developing and implementing a Climate Protection Plan for Kansas City and is comprised of not more than eleven members, balanced among stakeholder interests, and appointed by the Mayor.
  • KC Climate Protection Planning - Initial Process
  • Steering Committee Minutes
  • Membership

Climate Protection Steering Committee 

(Last Updated June 2019)