The Atlanta Regional Commission today adopted the Metro Atlanta Climate Action Plan (MACAP), a roadmap to create a more resilient, sustainable, and economically competitive region while protecting public health.

Atlanta is one of 81 metro areas and 45 states that received funding from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to develop comprehensive climate action plans.

The plan features 24 measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across a range of sectors, including transportation, industry, residential and commercial buildings, energy, waste & materials, and trees & greenspaces.

These measures include:

• Encouraging fleet transitions to electric vehicles

• Providing more options for people to walk, bike, or take public transportation

• Making buildings more energy efficient

• Increasing use of renewable energy sources

• Protecting and restoring natural lands.

“This landmark plan will help build our region’s resilience to extreme weather events, like intense storms, flooding, heat waves, and droughts,” said Anna Roach, ARC’s Executive Director & CEO. “We know that action is needed to better prepare our region. The Metro Atlanta Climate Action Plan provides strategic options for local governments, businesses, and residents throughout the region to consider that can make a real difference.”

For next steps, ARC will be engaging organizations across the region to help move this plan toward action and implementation. Activities may include a MACAP “roadshow” to inform stakeholders and the general public and sector-focused training seminars. ARC may also consider incorporating policy recommendations into future regional planning efforts.

ARC developed the plan with feedback from a series of online stakeholder webinars, one-on-one conversations with stakeholders, existing community events, and online surveys.

The plan builds on existing climate-related work of ARC, including the Green Communities program, Livable Centers Initiative, and the ongoing transportation planning and policy work undertaken by ARC.