Taking Action

The City of Salem is taking action to respond to climate change with a Climate Action Plan (CAP) that outlines strategies and actions to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and increase climate resiliency in our community.

On October 12, 2020, City Council adopted two Greenhouse Gas emissions reduction goals:

• By 2035 – Reduce Salem’s GHG emissions by 50% (from the baseline year of 2016)
• By 2050 - Salem is a carbon neutral city

Salem’s Climate Action Plan has been designed to address these goals and was completed under the guidance of a 41-member Task Force and with much input from community stakeholders and residents.

Thank you CAP Task Force and Salem residents for your feedback on Salem's Climate Action Plan!

What's New?

2021 Inventory of Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Results from this latest inventory show that more than 1.2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent were produced by Salem residents, businesses, employees, and visitors in 2021.  These greenhouse gas emissions were produced through activities such as driving, heating our homes, and producing and disposing waste.  

Salem in Motion:  Connecting People and Places

Efforts are underway to update the City's Transportation System Plan and address new State requirements under the Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities (CFEC) rulemaking.

Salem Receives $1 Million From Oregon Department of Energy for Community Microgrid

In partnership with Portland General Electric, the City of Salem will use grant funding to construct Oregon’s first-ever community microgrid in Southeast Salem.