Community Climate Action Plan

The Community Climate Action Plan is Bend’s roadmap to cutting down on fossil fuel use and making the City more climate friendly. It outlines clear steps to move toward a cleaner, more sustainable future while ensuring Bend remains a wonderful place to live and work.

Old Mill District in Bend with snow in winter. Blue skies, fresh, white snow on buildings.

The Community Climate Action Plan is a community-driven guide that sets bold but achievable goals to reduce fossil fuel use and pollution. It brings together residents, businesses, and city leaders to make lasting changes that improve energy efficiency, support clean energy, and make transportation more sustainable.

City Council approved the Community Climate Action Plan on December 4, 2019, through Resolution 3180, committing Bend to bold action. The plan is overseen by the Environment and Climate Committee, a group of community members appointed to track progress and recommend policies to keep the plan moving forward. In April 2025, the City Council adopted the 2025 update to the Community Climate Action Plan, marking its first update since the original adoption. 

The Community Climate Action Plan is about more than just policies—it’s about real action. Through innovative programs, incentives, and smart investments, Bend is building a cleaner and healthier future for everyone. This plan ensures that the transition to a low-carbon economy is fair and benefits the entire community.

Climate Action Vision and Goals

Vision

Neighbors, businesses, and community leaders working together to preserve our natural environment while promoting economic opportunity and resilience for current and future generations.

Goals

  • Reduce community-wide fossil fuel use by 40% by 2030
  • Reduce community-wide fossil fuel use by 70% by 2050

Achieving Our Goals Together

The City can’t achieve these climate goals alone. To ensure the Community Climate Action Plan was created with broad community input, the Climate Action Steering Committee was formed in 2018. This group of 13 community members represented a range of perspectives, including local businesses, environmental advocates, youth representatives, and public agencies. Their work laid the foundation for the Community Climate Action Plan, and their recommendations continue to guide the City’s efforts.

The Climate Action Steering Committee recommended creating a permanent committee to oversee the plan’s implementation. In Fall 2020, the City established the Environment and Climate Committee, which now plays a key role in guiding climate policy and programs in Bend.

Diverse group of people sitting around a large table working.

Key Strategies

Energy Supply

  • Switch to 100% renewable electricity by 2025.
  • Make it easier for homes and businesses to install solar panels.
  • Explore new clean energy options like biogas and small-scale wind power.

Energy in Buildings

  • Improve energy efficiency in new and existing buildings.
  • Encourage builders to design homes and offices that use less energy.
  • Offer rebates and incentives for energy-saving upgrades.

Transportation

  • Expand electric vehicle charging stations around the city.
  • Improve bike lanes, sidewalks, and pedestrian-friendly streets.
  • Make public transit more reliable and accessible.

Materials & Waste

  • Increase composting and recycling to recover 45% of non-food waste and 50% of food waste by 2050.
  • Encourage businesses and residents to reduce waste and reuse materials.
  • Support repair programs and sharing networks to cut down on unnecessary consumption.

Tree City and Arbor Day Observance

Bend is celebrating its 22nd year as a Tree City, an honor bestowed by the Arbor Day Foundation. This achievement highlights the successful collaboration with the Bend Park and Recreation District, showcasing the city’s dedication to urban forestry since 1991.

In Bend, the City Council has designated April as Arbor Month, taking into account the city’s unpredictable weather. Throughout the month, Bend organizes numerous events to celebrate Arbor Day, many of which involve planting trees on public property within the city.

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