Unified Government Supports Regional Climate Action Plan

Published on July 12, 2022

Kansas City, KS – On Thursday, June 30, 2022, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, KS (UG) Commission adopted a resolution in support of the KC Regional Climate Action Plan and pursuing its implementation in Wyandotte County. The Climate Action Plan is a voluntary framework to guide the region’s response to climate change, setting targets for reducing emissions, improving efficiency, and establishing a more resilient future. As we continue to witness, there has been a noticeable increase in severe weather – whether the current heatwave, record rainfall, or fast-moving storms. Addressing climate change today will ensure the public health and safety for generations to come.

“As one of the most visible local governments in our region, the Unified Government’s adoption of this plan is a powerful step forward,” said Mid-America Regional Council Executive Director David Warm. “The UG is demonstrating leadership that will guide its future decisions and investments and also inspire individuals, companies and organizations to take actions that support sustainable communities and economies. Most of the measures in this plan not only protect the climate, they also foster healthy, prosperous communities. This is a win for the climate, and a win for the residents of Wyandotte County.”

The KC Regional Climate Action Plan includes a regional assessment of climate risk and vulnerability as a basis for its strategies and recommended actions. The Unified Government resolution adopted last week will ensure that a local assessment, specific to our community, will be completed to establish a baseline for future implementation efforts. Generally, as compared to the rest of the region, Wyandotte County is more likely to be exposed to the impacts of climate change; more susceptible to the damage caused by climate change; and less able to cope with and recover from disasters in our disadvantaged neighborhoods.

“The work to improve climate resiliency is among the many best practices that the Unified Government is currently employing to improve quality of life across the community,” said Planning & Urban Design Director Gunnar H. Hand, AICP. “Expanding mobility choices, regreening our urban core, reducing the municipal waste stream, and improving energy efficiency are among the many strategies in place to reduce our environmental footprint and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Moving forward, the UG can lead our region by example and, in the process, make our neighborhoods healthier and economically vibrant.”

Starting this fall, the Unified Government will begin a climate risk and vulnerability assessment as part of the citywide master plan update. The Unified Government will be launching a comprehensive effort to establish a land use and development framework for the City of Kansas City, KS. Understanding the impacts of climate change on our neighborhoods will be incorporated into the planning process to help inform proposed strategies and recommendations.

Developed by the Mid-America Regional Council and nonprofit Climate Action KC, the Climate Action Plan establishes goals, strategies, and priorities across nine sectors: collaboration and leadership; energy generation; transportation; urban greening; finance and innovation; food systems; healthy and resilient homes and buildings; community resilience; industry and resource management. For more information about the action plan, check out their website: kcmetroclimateplan.org