ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Allentown will look to join the Lehigh Valley’s other cities in creating a climate action plan.
City Council members on Wednesday unanimously approved a $200,000 contract for Bethlehem-based WSP USA Inc. to help officials develop a comprehensive strategy to meet climate-related goals.
The body allocated that money in the city’s 2025 budget.
Adopting a climate action plan would help the city reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect its natural resources and encourage sustainable design and development, Allentown Environmental Advisory Council Co-Chairman Kyle Ropski told council.
Allentown's adoption of a climate action plan would show it is “taking proactive, responsible steps to address climate challenges,” which are “going to be very real."Kyle Ropski, co-chair of Allentown's Environmental Advisory Council
Ropski noted that the city’s Vision 2030 initiative recommended the development of a climate action plan as the first step for “how to plan a sustainable and resilient Allentown.”
An official climate action plan also would ensure “a long overdue return” to actively working toward that Vision 2030 goals, which include protecting public health, strengthening the economy and preserving quality of life, Ropski said.
And by joining Easton and Bethlehem in adopting a climate action plan, Allentown would show it is “taking proactive, responsible steps to address climate challenges,” which are “going to be very real,” he said.
The plan also would open up opportunities for partnerships and innovation, while saving taxpayers money through infrastructure investments and outside funding, he said.
Allentown’s climate action plan would “include investments in robust community engagement, ensuring that the residents, businesses and institutions in our city have a voice in shaping the solutions that we put forth.”Kyle Ropski, co-chair of Allentown's Environmental Advisory Council
Two Penn State students conducted a citywide survey of 2023 greenhouse gas emissions and found more than 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide were emitted that year.
That’s equivalent to a gas-powered car driving 2.6 billion miles, or about 105,000 trips around the globe, the students said in January.
Ropski pledged that Allentown’s climate action plan would “include investments in robust community engagement, ensuring that the residents, businesses and institutions in our city have a voice in shaping the solutions that we put forth.”
Bethlehem’s climate action plan was published in April 2021; Easton’s climate action plan was published in Oct. 2021.
