NEW YORK – Today, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities, a three-year initiative to turbocharge 25 U.S. cities' efforts to leverage historic levels of federal funding to proactively build low-carbon, resilient, and economically thriving communities. Building on the longtime leadership of U.S. cities to confront the crisis of climate change which disproportionately impacts disadvantaged communities, the $200 million Bloomberg Philanthropies initiative will provide deep support to selected cities to pursue transformative solutions in the buildings and transportation sectors through partnerships with PolicyLink, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, and Natural Resources Defense Council. Today's announcement follows more than fifteen years of Mike Bloomberg championing the role of mayors and local leaders in the global climate fight. Bloomberg Philanthropies' commitment to supporting cities in reducing emissions is over $650 million to date.
Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities is the newest Bloomberg Philanthropies initiative to support local climate action in the United States. In 2019, Mike Bloomberg launched the American Cities Climate Challenge to provide resources and support to 25 of the largest U.S. cities to scale proven high-impact urban climate solutions in the buildings and transportation sectors. With Bloomberg Philanthropies' support, the 25 Climate Challenge cities passed 54 major buildings, energy, and transportation policies and launched 71 new climate programs and initiatives, which are projected to reduce 74 million metric tons of carbon emissions through 2030.
In 2022, Bloomberg Philanthropies galvanized a consortium of nonprofit and expert groups to establish the Local Infrastructure Hub, a national program providing more than 1,200 municipalities with pro-bono expertise to navigate historic funding opportunities made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, develop competitive grant applications, and bring investment home to address essential infrastructure needs. To date, participating municipalities have already been awarded more than $1 billion in federal funding.
"Tackling climate change and building stronger and more equitable cities go hand in hand," said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies. "Mayors have bold ideas for how to take on both challenges at once, and we're looking forward to expanding our support for them."
Globally, Mike Bloomberg helps champion local climate action as the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions, as President of C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, and Co-Chair of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy.
The cities selected to participate in the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative are:
- Akron, OH
- Atlanta, GA
- Birmingham, AL
- Buffalo, NY
- Charlotte, NC
- Chattanooga, TN
- Cincinnati, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbus, OH
- Dayton, OH
- Hampton, VA
- Jackson, MS
- Kansas City, MO
- Lansing, MI
- Memphis, TN
- Montgomery, AL
- Nashville, TN
- Newport News, VA
- Oakland, CA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Raleigh, NC
- Rochester, NY
- Savannah, GA
- St. Louis, MO
With over $400 billion in federal funding available to local governments through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, U.S. cities have a historic opportunity to access and implement new investments that combat climate change and improve lives. Potential projects in the 25 cities announced today include developing affordable energy-efficient housing, increasing access to clean energy, investing in electric vehicles and infrastructure, and more.
"The Inflation Reduction Act creates unprecedented opportunities for communities nationwide to not only transition to clean energy, but stimulate local economies, generate quality jobs, and improve air quality and health outcomes. This is especially true for people of color who are disproportionately impacted by climate change and harmful pollution in their communities," said Gina McCarthy, Managing Co-Chair of America Is All In and former White House national climate advisor. "Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities is such an important initiative because it's investing in our cities, where the magic of change happens. It's at the ground level where people are working together to install clean energy, clean up the air, demand clean buses for our kids, rethink our food systems, and ensure that no community is left behind. I cannot wait to see the creative solutions these cities develop to ensure that safe water, clean air, and healthy communities are rights shared equally by all Americans."
Selected cities are already in the process of applying for, have submitted applications for, or have received 100+ federal grants aligned with Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities' goals. The initiative aims to ensure the participating cities—collectively representing over 10 million people—can leverage and implement federal funds to advance local projects, especially in disadvantaged communities historically overburdened by pollution.
The disproportionate impact of climate change on communities of color in the United States magnifies long standing historic inequities. Black, Hispanic, and Native American households spend twenty to forty-five percent more of their income on energy costs in comparison to white non-Hispanic households. Further, the Black Wealth Data Center shows that in Southeastern U.S. counties with Black and Hispanic populations over 30 percent, those households have heightened exposure and risk to natural hazards—emphasizing their increased vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. Effective climate action must not only cut emissions but also solve for these deep disparities.
The cities selected for Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities will receive a Bloomberg Philanthropies-funded innovation team (i-team) with up to three dedicated staff with expertise in data analysis, insight development, human-centered design, systems thinking, and project management to bolster city capacity in driving progress on climate mitigation and promoting equitable outcomes. Cities will also receive multi-year, in-depth, customized policy and technical assistance in collaboration with community-based organizations and local stakeholders to mobilize public, private, and philanthropic investments to achieve their goals. Work has already started in each of the 25 cities, helping them incubate policies and projects while building local capacity through recruitment for i-team staff. Cities' ambitious actions will be highlighted on an ongoing basis.
"I'm excited Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities is helping cities, including Akron, tackle climate change and racial wealth gaps," said Shammas Malik, Mayor of Akron, OH. "The innovation team will help us tackle real issues in the lives of Akronites – leveraging philanthropic funding to create and grow a truly sustainable and equitable Akron. With the added staff capacity and the network of other cities working towards similar solutions, we will be more innovative and engaged with the community in ideating, developing, and executing projects that create local solutions to the problems facing not only our city but the entire world."
"Charlotte will lead as a global city by continuously improving, protecting, and preserving the environment, its community, and economy, while ensuring equity and resilience for today's and future generations. With the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies, we are empowered to continue tackling the pressing challenges of climate change and racial wealth inequity head-on, furthering the implementation of our Strategic Energy Action Plan in building a resilient, equitable future for all Charlotteans," said Vi Lyles, Mayor of Charlotte, NC.
"With the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative, Bloomberg Philanthropies is once again supporting Cincinnati in making a transformational impact on our future. Climate-forward cities, that are investing right now in resiliency and innovative solutions, will be best-positioned to thrive in the generations to come. The expertise and direct support provided by the innovation team will be an essential part of this work, and we are exceptionally proud to take part in this program," said Aftab Pureval, Mayor of Cincinnati, OH.
"The City of Cleveland is honored to participate in the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities program," said Mayor Justin Bibb of the City of Cleveland, OH. "Cleveland has long embraced the responsibility of acting on climate change and environmental stewardship. From former Mayor Carl B. Stokes' historic efforts in 1969 to address environmental injustices, to our present-day climate action planning and implementation initiatives, our city stands as a testament to resilience and innovation. The BASC program in Cleveland will support equitable and more rapid implementation of historical funding at the neighborhood level, enhancing resources in our historically disadvantaged communities and reducing the racial wealth gap. Through this collaborative effort, we will continue to work with residents and key stakeholders to achieve a more equitable and environmentally resilient city for all Clevelanders."
"Every day, the residents of Columbus are already feeling the impacts of climate change," said Andrew Ginther, Mayor of Columbus, OH. "I'm proud to join other cities through the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative to step up our efforts in reducing emissions and enhancing climate resilience, particularly in our most vulnerable communities."
"Hampton has worked with Bloomberg Philanthropies through a multitude of the organization's programs, and each one has proven beneficial to our city," said Mayor Donnie Tuck of the City of Hampton, VA. "We are innovative and data-driven in our efforts to reduce damage from flooding, especially in historically underserved communities, and we look forward to participating in the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative to take this work and more to the next level for our residents."
"We are honored to be selected as one of the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative participants," said Paul Young, Mayor of Memphis, TN. "With this support, we have a unique opportunity to make the most of federal funding to advance sustainable and affordable housing, reduce emissions, and make Memphis more resilient. We are energized by the opportunity to better our city."
"I'm thrilled about Nashville's participation in Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities and eager for the capacity it will bring to advance equity, sustainability, and resilience goals in our city," said Freddie O'Connell, Mayor of Nashville, TN. "We'll be deeply engaging in communities across Nashville that have had chronic underinvestment, helping them shape their own futures to be healthier, affordable, more equitable, and more sustainable."
"We are honored that Raleigh has been selected for the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities program, recognizing the many innovative ways we are already tackling today's biggest challenges," said Mary-Ann Baldwin, Mayor of Raleigh, NC. "The dedicated i-team will boost our work with community partners to deliver climate change solutions that close the racial wealth gap, address affordability and entrepreneurship, and build a more equitable and resilient community."
"We are thrilled to collaborate to launch this transformative initiative that offers cities a definitive solution, removing the burden of choosing between competing priorities," said Amanda Daflos, Executive Director of the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University. "Through Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities, we look forward to helping spur new funding, cultivating innovative thinking, and building capacity to support cities in addressing the dual challenges of the climate crisis and wealth inequity. With all 25 cities united in this common goal, this collaborative effort is poised to enhance the quality of life for all as we pave the way toward a more sustainable and equitable future."
"Through the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge, we saw how mayors are leading by example to take ambitious action that cuts pollution and creates healthier communities," said Manish Bapna, president and CEO of NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). "The Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative will help solidify cities as the nexuses of change by providing opportunities for marginalized communities in the emerging zero-carbon economy and making them more resilient to climate impacts. NRDC is proud to be working with Bloomberg Philanthropies, PolicyLink and other national and local partners to increase public and private investments in cities that address climate change while building racial wealth equity."
"Climate resilience and racial equity are deeply intertwined, and we can't fight climate change without addressing the ways in which racial inequity has harmed all people in this country, particularly those who face barriers of structural oppression," said Dr. Michael McAfee, President and CEO of PolicyLink. "Our commitment to collaborating with these 25 cities is rooted in our foundational pillars: creating opportunities, advancing economies, and building just societies where everyone can flourish. As we forge ahead, we believe that collectively we can create a nation where we can all thrive. Our goal is to extend these principles to as many cities as possible."
"Bloomberg Philanthropies' new commitment helps recognize that true sustainability emerges when economic prosperity and environmental stewardship are woven together seamlessly," said Denise Fairchild, President Emerita of Emerald Cities Collaborative. "It's an honor to partner with Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities' supporting partners on this initiative. By taking on holistic and innovative approaches to building sustainable communities burdened by profound wealth disparities and pollution, we're not simply addressing climate change—we're creating community wealth by nurturing resilient, flourishing communities for generations to come."
