The City of Ithaca is asking residents to help shape the next phase of its Green New Deal with a reimagined Climate Action Plan that puts housing, jobs, and public health at the center of the conversation.
City staff and the Sustainability & Climate Justice Commission say the updated strategy—called Dignity Toward Decarbonization—is designed to ensure that climate action doesn’t come at the expense of equity or local needs.
The new plan focuses on six key sectors:
- Housing
- Labor
- Public Health
- Equity
- Emergency Response
- Power Reliability
Instead of leading with emissions targets or technical upgrades, the plan starts with everyday issues Ithacans face—like affordable housing, job security, and health disparities—and builds climate solutions from there.
Surveys will roll out in three stages:
- Housing & Labor
- Public Health & Equity
- Power Reliability & Emergency Response
Community members are invited to share feedback through the city’s OpenGov platform. The Sustainability & Climate Justice Commission is also hosting a drop-in event on Thursday, August 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Tompkins County Public Library’s Borg Warner Room. Staff will be on hand to answer questions and gather input.
The original Ithaca Green New Deal launched in 2019 and continues to evolve alongside the community. This latest version aims to better align climate goals with legislative and development priorities—without displacing residents or reinforcing existing vulnerabilities.
For more information or to take the first survey, visit the City of Ithaca’s official website or contact Rebecca Evans, Director of Sustainability, at [email protected].
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