Climate Action

Denver is excited to announce bold, new climate goals! These goals were adopted as part of our recently released Climate Protection Fund Five-Year Plan.

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our generation. The effects of a warming planet are already being felt in our city and around the world. From increases in wildfires and droughts to the spread of disease to worsening air quality, the evidence clearly shows that climate change is having a broad-reaching impact on our daily lives. Cities generate more than 70 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. That makes us a key part of the climate solution. Denver is committed to do our part to ensure our children have a climate safe future.

Denver's Climate Goals 

Denver aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 65% by 2030!

Cities and businesses around the world are adopting science-based targets (SBT) to align their ambition with the latest climate science. The SBT represents our community’s fair share of greenhouse gas reductions necessary to meet the Paris Agreement commitment of keeping warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. An analysis conducted through the Race to Zero initiative found that Denver should strive for a 62.8% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from a 2019 baseline.

This SBT was endorsed by the Sustainability Advisory Council on the recommendation of its Science and Research committee. In 2020, Mayor Michael Hancock accepted this recommendation and increased the ambition of the goal to a 65% reduction in emissions by 2030 from a 2019 baseline. 

These goals were adopted as part of the Climate Protection Fund Five-Year Plan. Learn more about the Climate Protection Fund and read the plan.