Climate Action Plan
City of Richmond
Resolution
No. 9-2022
Download the Climate Action Plan
About the Climate Action Plan
In partnership with various departments and community organizations, the Environmental Sustainability Commission is tasked with carrying out the sustainability tasks outlined in the 2020 Richmond Rising: Community Action Plan.
The Richmond Rising Plan recommends that the Environmental Sustainability Commission prepare a Citywide Sustainability Action Plan or “Climate Action Plan” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while also creating a resiliency plan that aligns community priorities and resources to better withstand hazardous to better withstand natural disasters.
This Climate Action Plan includes both mitigation strategies to lower emissions and protect environmental quality, and adaptation strategies to prepare citizens and infrastructure for the damaging effects of rising temperatures and extreme weather events.
Approaches
Adaptation Strategies
The goal of adaptation strategies is to prepare citizens and infrastructure for the effects of rising temperatures and extreme weather events.
- Adapt the Built Environment
- Prepare Economic Development Practices for a Changing Climate
- Prepare Emergency Management Systems for Future Stresses
- Prepare Energy and Utilities for a Changing Climate
- Prepare Energy and Utilities for a Changing Climate
- Adapt Public Health & Safety Processes
Mitigation Strategies
The goal of mitigation strategies is to protect our environmental quality by lessening carbon emissions.
- Decarbonize Energy Generation
- Increase Energy Efficiency
- Efficiently Manage Solid Waste
- Reduce Annual Vehicular Miles Traveled
- Increase Efficiency of Vehicles
- Efficiently Manage Potable Water
- Efficiently Manage Liquid Waste
Community Input
The Commission sought the opinions of many departments, sustainability professionals, and those in economic development, emergency management, and more before introducing this plan to the community.
This climate action plan is a living document meant to shift with Richmond as opportunities and priorities change.
The authors of this document sought feedback and participation from community members throughout the writing process, including:
- Richmond Rising Community Action Plan
- Hoosier Resilience Index Readiness Assessment
- Adaption Survey
- Community Survey
- Youth Survey
- Department and Elected Officials Meetings
- Youth Climate Action Team
Additional material
Community Survey Results
The Community Survey sought input from a wide cross section of residents to understand their thoughts, concerns, and readiness when presented with the threat of climate change
- 82% of respondents were concerned about climate change and its future impacts
- 75% of respondents say increased renewable energy and recycling should be a top priority
- Energy efficiency ranked 1st on how Richmond should adapt to climate change
Greenhouse Gas Inventory
In 2018, Indiana University conducted a Greenhouse Gas Inventory as a first step to understanding how Richmond can become a more resilient community. The inventory provides a picture of our community's emissions created by the activities of residents, businesses, and institutions in 2018
Next Steps for Climate Resilience in Richmond, IN
In 2022, Richmond completed the Hoosier Resilience Index Readiness Assessment to evaluate our preparedness for the impacts of climate change.
The Environmental Resilience Institute from Indiana University compiled the results into the Next Steps for Climate Resilience in Richmond Indiana report, which suggests high-impact next steps and relevant funding opportunities to resolve our community's most pressing climate vulnerabilities.
