Jack Darin, Sierra Club Illinois Chapter, jack.darin@sierraclub.org
Stephanie Steinbrecher, Sierra Club Ready for 100 Campaign, stephanie.steinbrecher@sierraclub.org
EVANSTON, IL -- Yesterday, the Evanston City Council unanimously approved its new Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP), which includes a commitment to achieve 100 percent renewable electricity supply community-wide by 2030, along with other bold climate goals.
This historic commitment means that Evanston is the first municipality in Illinois, and the 102nd city nationwide, to establish a goal of transitioning to 100 percent clean and renewable electricity for all.
The Plan calls for 100 percent renewable electricity for municipal operations by 2020, 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2050, in addition to other ambitious goals to address climate change. The plan was developed by a 17-member working group appointed by Mayor Stephen Hagerty, who is also signed on to the Mayors for 100 Percent Clean Energy initiative. CARP identifies critical actions that need to be taken in order for Evanston to play its part in avoiding cataclysmic climate change as well as key strategies to ensure that Evanson is prepared to deal with those climate hazards.
Evanston’s plan for moving to 100 percent clean, renewable electricity can serve as an example to other communities in the Prairie State looking to set their own renewable energy goals. A transition to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030 means cleaner air, energy bill savings, local solar development and job creation, and a healthier community for all Evanstonians.
“We thank Mayor Hagerty and the Evanston City Council for taking bold steps to address climate change and prioritize an equitable, just transition to 100 percent renewable clean electricity,” said Jack Darin, Director of the Sierra Club Illinois Chapter. “As a fellow Evanstonian, I look forward to the Sierra Club’s continued work with the City as it implements the Climate Action and Resilience Plan and ensures that the transition to 100 percent clean, renewable electricity by 2030 benefits everyone in our city.”
“From our residents, to our businesses, to our schools and hospitals, Evanston is united in its efforts to mitigate the far-reaching effects of climate change through bold and immediate action,” said Evanston Mayor Stephen Hagerty. “While Evanston will likely undergo many changes on the way to 2050, this plan ensures that our longstanding commitment to climate action will remain.”
“I’m proud to live in a community that is willing to confront climate change head on. Citizens’ Greener Evanston looks forward to working with all community stakeholders to make the vision of a zero carbon, zero waste Evanston a reality. We’re particularly proud of the fact that the plan directly addresses equity issues so that the effects of climate disruption won’t be borne disproportionately by those of our neighbors who are least equipped to adapt,” said Jonathan Nieuwsma, President of Citizens’ Greener Evanston.
The full list of 102 cities across the United States committed to being powered by 100 percent renewable energy can be viewed here.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.