Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson has made a commitment to standing with hundreds of other mayors, businesses and organizations across the country, as they work to continue supporting climate action in the U.S.  The Mayor strongly believes that our cities, counties and state must continue to lead efforts to reduce emissions that are warming our planet and accelerating climate change. 

Climate Protection Agreements  

Mayor Stephanson is among the U.S. Mayors to have signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement in 2007. Under that agreement, participating cities agreed to strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities, through actions ranging from anti-sprawl land-use policies (Everett has adopted them in its Comprehensive Plan) to urban forest restoration projects (Everett has been named an annual Tree City USA award winner for two decades by the National Arbor Day Foundation and partners with Forterra to improve the health of our forested areas through the Green Everett program) to public information campaigns (see information about the Everett In Motion, Green Garden and Water Conservation programs).

Also in that year, the City joined ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), and began its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory for municipal operations, using ICLEI’s Clean Air and Climate Protection (CACP) software.

In June 2017 the Mayor became a signatory to the Center for American Progress 'We are still in Paris" open letter to the international community and Paris Agreement parties, joined the Mayor's National Climate Action Agenda (mayor-to-mayor network collaborating on climate), and added the City's support to Mayors for 100% Clean Energy. 

Mayor Stephanson is also a signatory on a letter with the Washington Environmental Council addressed to Governor Inslee.  The letter confirms our support for the Governor's actions toward transitioning Washington State to a green economy.

What current actions is Everett taking?

Everett is moving to electrify its Everett Transit bus fleet. Seven new all-electric buses will replace older diesel buses over the next two years, and we will continue to move toward a total replacement of carbon-emitting buses.

City staff is also working with the City Council to develop an updated Climate Action Plan that will keep us on an assertive path forward in reducing emissions in City operations and in educating the public about daily habits that can make a difference. We will also be seeking to work with Snohomish County, our neighboring cities and the state to adopt workable and effective strategies to reduce our carbon footprint.

 Everett continues to do its part in the battle against climate change through numerous climate initiatives and resources including:    

• Commute trip reduction program
  • Employees are encouraged to use shared transportation systems through participating  in the RideMatch and SmartMOVE programs 
• Providing biking resources such as an  Everett bike route map and participating every year in Bike Everywhere Month
• Providing City staff with ORCA cards
• Acquiring electric utility vehicles and buses as finances allow
• Public education campaigns and engagement opportunities
• Replacing police vehicles with hybrid vehicles when appropriate 
  • Evaluating potential options as vehicles become due for replacement 

Published materials include:

• City of Everett Comprehensive Plan, Climate Change & Sustainability Element, Background Report  (January 2015)
• City of Everett Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 10, Climate Change and Sustainability (April 2017)
• Urban Carbon Reduction Strategies (SEI NEC Memo to City, Sept 2016)
• Council General Government Committee Meeting, May 17, 2017 (Video - starts at 1:30))

The 2011 Climate Action Plan

In 2011, the City of Everett developed a Climate Action Plan (PDF) to measure the GHG emissions generated from city operations as well as to identify actions the city can take to reduce its carbon footprint.  View the PowerPoint presentation (PDF) presented to the City Council on May 25, 2011.

Many cities in the United States are transitioning to a low-carbon future that includes GHG reductions from both internal operations and the community-at large.

Reducing GHG Emissions

Even before this plan, the city was taking action on reducing GHG emissions and implementing environmental best practices in most aspects of operations. Many city departments have worked for about a decade to replace products with greener options, to reduce water and energy use, and to provide services more efficiently. These efforts have not only saved water, electricity and fuel, but have also saved City and taxpayer dollars.