Climate Action & Adaption Plan - Policy Foundation

The City of Sacramento’s Climate Action & Adaptation Plan (CAAP), adopted February 27, 2024, alongside the 2040 General Plan, serves as the cornerstone policy for all sustainability efforts at the City of Sacramento. It sets ambitious community-wide targets—to reduce per‑capita greenhouse gas emissions by 63% below 1990 levels by 2030, and to achieve net-zero by 2045—while guiding both mitigation and climate resilience strategies

The CAAP includes:

• A citywide greenhouse gas inventory and emission reduction roadmap for key sectors, including transportation, buildings, water, waste, and urban forestry. 
• A vulnerability assessment pinpointing key climate risks facing Sacramento (heat, flooding, wildfire smoke, and water availability) and a plan detailing goals and actions to adapt. 
• Strategies for achieving carbon neutrality in municipal operations, such as electrification of city buildings and fleet vehicles and reduction in energy usage, water, and waste. 

Read the plan to learn more about the foundational climate and sustainability goals, policies, and actions established in the CAAP.

History of Previous Policies

The adoption of the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan formalized and reinforced the City of Sacramento’s long-standing commitment to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (“mitigation”) and preparing for the impacts of climate change (“adaptation”). Prior to the 2024 adoption of the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, Sacramento’s climate action efforts have evolved over nearly two decades. This progression reflects Sacramento’s commitment to serving as a climate leader, meeting state climate mandates, reducing emissions, and preparing for the impacts already affecting our region.

• Climate Action Plan for Internal Operations (2010): This plan, following General Plan guidance, developed strategies to reduce GHG emissions in City Operations. The City surpassed its goal of reducing municipal emissions 22% below 2005 levels by 2020, ultimately achieving a 28% reduction.
• Climate Action Plan (2012): The City adopted its first community-wide Climate Action Plan (CAP), to reduce all sources of GHG emissions within the community. The City exceeded its target of a 15% emissions reduction, reaching 19% below 2005 levels.
• 2035 General Plan (2015): The City of Sacramento’s 2035 General Plan sets a roadmap for Sacramento’s future. The 2035 General Plan established long-term goals to reduce community and municipal emissions by 49% by 2035 and 83% by 2050.
• Climate Action Plan for Internal Operations (2016): This update to the 2010 Climate Action Plan for Internal Operations adopted an ambitious municipal goal of a 33% reduction by 2020.
• Mayors’ Commission on Climate Change (2018): The mayors of Sacramento and West Sacramento convened to develop a shared strategy for achieving carbon neutrality by 2045, with its 2020 recommendations embraced by the City Council.
• Climate Emergency Declaration (2019): City Council declared a climate emergency in 2019, committing to carbon neutrality by 2045 and accelerating emissions reductions by 2030.
• 2040 General Plan Vision and Guiding Principles (2019): City Council adopted the Vision and Guiding Principles (Resolution No. 2019-0433). The Vision and Guiding Principles reaffirm the City’s commitment to “take bold action to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and become a leading voice in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.” 
• Climate Action and Sustainability Team (2020): The City Manager established the Office of Climate Action and Sustainability (now the Climate Action and Sustainability Team). Key priorities for this team are outlined in the 2021 Climate Implementation Work Plan, supported by a $4.4 million allocation from City Council.

Implementing the CAAP

The City is actively implementing projects that turn CAAP direction into on-the-ground action. Explore the Climate Action Initiatives to see how Sacramento is realizing our climate commitment and building a carbon-free, climate-resilient future.

The City of Sacramento is committed to building a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable future. Each year, we report on our progress to ensure transparency, celebrate achievements, and identify areas where more work is needed. Visit the City’s Climate Action and Adaption Plan webpage to find CAAP Annual Reports with detailed summary of recent project accomplishments.