On May 3, the American Planning Association’s Sustainable Communities Division (APA SCD) announced the winners of the ninth annual Awards for Excellence in Sustainability. The awards honor projects, plans, policies, individuals, and organizations whose work is dedicated to supporting sustainable communities.

The metropolitan regions of Kansas City and Chicago, which are committed to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM), had their Climate Action Plans recognized. The development of both plans were supported through the EU-funded International Urban Cooperation (IUC) program and the GcoM.

The GCoM Americas Project Coordinator, Jordan Harris, congratulated the cities for the recognition of their climate action plans: “This award is the result of the efforts of many people dedicated to the fight against climate change in Kansas City and Chicago, and marks their commitment to a more sustainable, just and equitable future, which is what the GCoM envisions and supports”. 

Kansas City Region won in the Regional Award category for its Kansas City Regional Climate Action Plan, developed by the Mid-America Regional Council. The plan aims to transform the metropolitan area into a more resilient, equitable and healthy community. An ambitious set of interrelated strategies will help to mitigate climate change to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and adapt to the many risks climate change poses.

The Chicago Metropolitan Region was awarded for its Climate Action Plan, developed by the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Chicago’s new climate goals set a course to reduce the city’s greenhouse gas emissions by 62% by 2040. Anchored in values of economic inclusion and cost saving, pollution burden reduction, and equitable access to critical infrastructure and community health and resilience, the plan prioritizes delivering meaningful community benefits and system improvements as the city continues to lead on climate.