Mayor Andre Dickens announced Atlanta was selected by Bloomberg Philanthropies as one of 25 U.S. cities to join Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities. Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities is 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 solutions in the buildings and transportation sectors through partnerships with PolicyLink, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, and Natural Resources Defense Council.

By participating in Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities, Atlanta 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.

“Like many of our efforts, reaching our sustainability and equity goals is a group project and we look forward to participating in Bloomberg's American Sustainable Cities Challenge. This is an opportunity for us to collaborate with cities facing similar challenges, share best practices and tap into resources to fight climate change and enhance the quality of life for all Atlantans,” said Mayor Dickens.

Atlanta was chosen by Bloomberg Philanthropies for Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities based on its leadership and ambition to build resilient, equitable communities. Despite facing significant vulnerabilities such as high energy burdens, extreme heat and flooding, the City has persisted in advancing community prosperity and economic development amid the climate crisis. Mayor Dickens has elevated the importance of achieving the City’s goal of 100% clean energy for 100% of Atlantans by 2035 to ensure his vision of an expansive culture of equity is present in all his priorities.

With more than $400 billion in federal funding available to local governments through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities aims to help cities access and implement the historic funding for critical local projects, especially in marginalized communities historically overburdened by pollution. This includes $528,330 in funding through the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant that will support a reduction in the City’s rising utility costs and advance a municipal decarbonization strategy for more climate resilient infrastructure in Atlanta’s Justice40 communities. Anticipated solutions implemented through the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities could include developing affordable, energy-efficient housing, investing in electric vehicles and infrastructure, and expanding access to clean energy and local nutritious food, among others. 

“Our selection as one of the 25 cities for the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative is an exciting activation,” said Chandra Farley, Atlanta’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “If the clean energy transition is to be truly just for all, we must view our climate actions as an opportunity to address racial wealth inequity. For Atlanta, the cradle of the civil rights movement, we are well positioned to lead the way.”

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. In 2022, Bloomberg Philanthropies galvanized a consortium of nonprofit and expert groups to establish the Local Infrastructure Hub, a national program providing more than 1,200 municipalities with pro-bono expertise to navigate historic funding opportunities made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, develop competitive grant applications, and bring investment home to address essential infrastructure needs. To date, participating municipalities have already been awarded more than $1 billion in federal funding.