Boca Raton, FL – On March 21, 2022, Mayor Scott Singer, with support from the City Council, committed the City of Boca Raton to the Cities Race to Zero pledge - a commitment to limit the negative impacts of climate change by getting to net zero carbon emissions before 2050. The City is one of over 1,000 cities globally, and one of 13 in the state of Florida to make this Pledge.
As part of the pledge, the City will work to endorse climate action principles, to adopt science-based emission reduction targets, and to plan and implement specific climate policies across key sectors. The City’s participation in this effort is vital, as cities are home to 55% of the global population but responsible for 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
“The City of Boca Raton is already taking huge steps towards reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. I am excited that the City Council decided to sign the Cities Race to Zero pledge,” said Lindsey Roland Nieratka, Sustainability Manager for the City of Boca Raton. “Being a part of the pledge will let others know that the City is serious about sustainability, provide the City with access to networks and assistance to reach our goals, and help the City to continue to prioritize greenhouse gas emission reduction and sustainability in decision making moving forward.”
Race to Zero is a global campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, and investors for a resilient zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates jobs, and promotes inclusive, sustainable growth. The Cities Race to Zero track specifically commits cities to doing their part to meet the global emission reduction targets that scientists agree are necessary to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the goal of the Paris Agreement. This scenario is 50% global carbon emission reduction by 2030 and global net zero carbon emissions before 2050.
As a coastal community, the City has long championed and protected all our natural environments. In 2019, the City introduced the Sustainability Action Plan, which is a framework towards implementing general goals and policies related to sustainability. The City’s pledge includes climate actions from this Plan, including assessing the City’s fleet for electric vehicle adoption and assessing City facilities for renewable energy generation. Additional efforts include working toward setting the City’s science-based 2030 target which will represent the city’s “fair share” of global carbon emission reductions.
For more information on the City’s participation in the pledge, visit Cities Race to Zero and the City’s Office of Sustainability.
For Immediate Release – April 18, 2022
Ileana Olmsted, Public Relations Specialist
[email protected] | p:561-393-7788
