One Climate Future has delivered meaningful and tangible progress by enabling us to hit the ground running and maintain momentum. More than 70% of the climate strategies included in the plan are now underway.

We have worked creatively and efficiently to maximize the impact of our work. By leveraging funding from external sources, Portland and South Portland are advancing climate action while keeping taxpayer impacts low. Together, we have been awarded 32 grants since 2020 – totaling $5,134,222 – to carry out One Climate Future strategies.

We have built long-term capacities and partnerships. We have established robust partnerships with organizations at the local, regional, and state level. By investing in people, our Cities have created a solid foundation for carrying out the work of One Climate Future. Hosting 9 full-time Resilience Corps Fellows over the last five years, we are also training the next generation of climate resilience leaders. 

We have set an example and provided leadership. As one of the first multi-city climate action plans in the country, One Climate Future broke new ground and has served as a national model for regional cooperation, sharing lessons learned and serving as a resource for neighboring municipalities. We have formed coalitions and testified before the state legislature to enact policy change and remove barriers to local climate action.

We have made a huge impact in our communities. With One Climate Future as a road map, we have been able to make significant strides toward realizing our “Six Big Moves” – these are high impact, cross-cutting initiatives that touch on multiple elements of our climate plan. Together, we have partnered with other departments, community organizations, citizens, and businesses to accomplish incredible things in these past five years.

Because of One Climate Future we have come a long way, but we can’t let up now. Many strategies require ongoing action over the long-term, as well as collaborative partnerships, to realize their full impact. Five years on, we are more committed than ever to advancing the plan’s vision for a future that is equitable, regenerative, and resilient.

The last few years have shown that the impacts of climate change are being felt now . In the context of a rapidly evolving landscape of climate action – and additional knowledge about the trajectory of climate change  – it will be crucial to update One Climate Future in the coming years.