Regional Climate Action Plan

Philadelphia Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Priority Climate Action Plan

DVRPC is thrilled to announce the completion of the Philadelphia MSA Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP) that was conducted as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program (CPRG). The PCAP identifies priority, short term actions across the region that result in immediate greenhouse gas reductions by 2029, with an emphasis on programs that benefit low income and disadvantaged communities (LIDAC) as part of the Justice40 initiative. This plan is a prerequisite for our region to apply for and receive competitive funding from the EPA to implement these programs and move the needle on climate action. Engagement with local government, nonprofit organizations, utilities, academic institutions, and other community based organizations was ongoing throughout this process and will expand to the greater public in the next phase of the CPRG planning process.

The Priority Climate Action Plan identifies nine Priority Measures for the PHL MSA. These nine priorities are a set of shared, broad actions local government, organizations, and institutions can use to advance climate action in our region. Consensus on these nine priorities is essential to guide how we as a region prioritize funding, programs, and efforts to reduce the impacts of global climate change at a local level. 

To read the whole plan, click here.  

Comprehensive Climate Action Plan

The Comprehensive Climate Action Plan will go beyond the Priority Climate Action Plan to include more thorough engagement across the Philadelphia Metropolitan Statistical Area and address all major sources of GHG pollution. Planning will begin in April 2024 with anticipated completion of the plan by Fall 2025. 

To get more involved and provide input on the existing measures, fill out this survey

About the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program

DVRPC is spearheading and coordinating the first regional Climate Action Plan for the Philadelphia Metropolitan Statistical Area, a comprehensive planning process which will involve significant community engagement to prioritize actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions & harmful air pollution in the region.  DVRPC is developing the Philadelphia MSA Climate Action Plan through its participation in the U.S. EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program (CPRG). Funded through the Inflation Reduction Act, CPRG is a two-phase program that provides (phase one) $250 million in noncompetitive planning grants to states, Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), tribes, and territories to develop climate action plans in and (phase two) $4.6 billion in competitive implementation grants to carry out the greenhouse gas reduction measures proposed in the climate action plans.

DVRPC has received $1 million from the U.S. EPA to develop a region-wide Climate Action Plan led by DVRPC under phase one of CPRG.  This plan coordinated dozens of existing state and local Climate Action Plans, programs, policies and projects in the region into a single, comprehensive, and ambitious plan across the Philadelphia Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which includes Philadelphia, PA, Wilmington, DE, Camden, NJ, and parts of Maryland.

The Steering Committee guides the planning process for the Philadelphia MSA Climate Action Plan  is an effort to ensure cross-governmental collaboration, and priority-setting. MSA partners include New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, WILMAPCO, SJTPO, all 12 counties included in the MSA, and more. A full list of steering committee members can be found here. 

The CPRG includes three deliverables, the Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP), the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP), and Status Report, all of which are detailed in DVRPC’s work plan to EPA found here. All deliverables will include stakeholder and public engagement to shape the plan’s vision, direction, and outcomes.

How can I get involved?

DVRPC is engaging with the public, community-based organizations, and local governments. Check back here to receive updates on how to get involved, or reach out to Liz Compitello, Manager, Office of Sustainable Energy for questions, comments, or more information about this exciting, landmark opportunity for our region. ecompitello@dvrpc.org

Philadelphia MSA CPRG Steering Committee Meeting Recordings and Materials