Philadelphia is one of 25 cities to receive Bloomberg Philanthropies’ support to turbocharge local climate action and create more prosperous communities
PHILADELPHIA — Today, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker announced Philadelphia was selected as one of 25 U.S. cities to join Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities, a three-year initiative designed to leverage historic levels of federal funding to incubate and implement transformative local solutions to build low-carbon, resilient, and economically thriving communities.
Building on the longtime leadership of U.S. cities to confront the overlapping crises of climate change and racial wealth inequity, the $200 million Bloomberg Philanthropies initiative will provide deep support to selected cities to pursue transformative solutions in the buildings and transportation sectors. The program is being implemented through partnerships with Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, and Natural Resources Defense Council, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, and Natural Resources Defense Council.
By participating in Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities, Philadelphia will receive a Bloomberg Philanthropies-funded innovation team (i-team) with up to three dedicated staff with expertise in data analysis, insight development, human-centered design, systems thinking, and project management to bolster city capacity in driving progress on climate mitigation and promoting equitable outcomes. The City will also receive multi-year, in-depth, customized policy and technical assistance in collaboration with community-based organizations to mobilize public, private, and philanthropic investments.
With the Parker Administration’s focus on improving quality of life for all residents and launching the Clean and Green Initiative, the timing for this support from the Bloomberg Philanthropies is ideal. Mayor Parker’s 100-Day Action Plan states the Administration is committed to meeting the city’s carbon reduction goals and building resilience while encouraging residents to partner in improving their communities.
“I am thrilled Philadelphia was selected for this initiative which will contribute to a safer, cleaner, greener Philadelphia, with economic opportunity for all,” said Cherelle L. Parker, Mayor of Philadelphia “Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities will help unlock important resources to bring our vision to life.”
Philadelphia was chosen by Bloomberg Philanthropies for the initiative based on its leadership and ambition to build resilient, equitable communities. Despite facing significant vulnerabilities including escalating flooding and extreme heat, the city has persisted in advancing community prosperity and economic development amid the climate crisis.
Anticipated solutions implemented through the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities could include developing affordable, energy-efficient housing, accelerating the just energy transition, and expanding access to clean energy, especially in disadvantaged communities historically overburdened by pollution.
“Our participation in Bloomberg American Cities will be instrumental in furthering our efforts to center communities disproportionately burdened with the negative environmental impacts in our climate work,” says Elizabeth Lankenau, Interim Director of the Philadelphia Office of Sustainability. “This initiative will give us key tools and resources to meaningfully include Philadelphia’s most impacted communities in building a lower-carbon world that drives shared prosperity.”
About Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability
The Office of Sustainability (OOS) works with partners around the city to improve quality of life in all Philadelphia neighborhoods, through advancing environmental justice, reducing the city’s carbon emissions, and preparing Philadelphia for a hotter and wetter future. The Energy Office, housed within OOS, is responsible for managing the municipal energy portfolio and its contribution towards carbon reductions. For more information, please visit phila.gov/sustainability.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2023, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, and X.
Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities is the newest Bloomberg Philanthropies initiative to support local climate action in the United States. In 2019, Bloomberg Philanthropies launched the American Cities Climate Challenge to provide resources and support to 25 of the largest U.S. cities to scale proven high-impact urban climate solutions in the buildings and transportation sectors. With Bloomberg Philanthropies’ support, the 25 Climate Challenge cities passed 54 major buildings, energy, and transportation policies and launched 71 new climate programs and initiatives, which are projected to reduce 74 million metric tons of carbon emissions through 2030.