SE Valley Times

The City of Mesa has been actively investing in climate projects since adopting the Mesa Climate Action Plan (MCAP) in 2021, with a commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Mayor John Giles emphasized the city's dedication to these goals, stating, "These initiatives show that Mesa is serious about our climate action goals. We are making progress, but we need to keep working hard to make our community more resilient. We have a good plan, and we need to keep moving forward."

The investments made in the MCAP have led to significant advancements in various departments of Mesa, focusing on clean air initiatives, heat mitigation, smart energy use, water stewardship, sustainable food systems, and materials management. City Manager Chris Brady commended Mesa's proactive approach, stating, "Goodwill is not enough to help the environment. Mesa has taken decisive climate-forward steps to support MCAP. These investments are future-proofing Mesa and allowing us to plan for healthier and more sustainable communities."

Projects such as the Flare to Fuel Project, Trees Are Cool Initiative, and partnerships with organizations like SRP have been instrumental in driving Mesa's sustainability efforts. These initiatives aim to convert methane gas into renewable natural gas, plant one million new trees by 2050, and generate renewable energy from forest thinning projects while protecting Mesa's watershed.

Through its investments in the MCAP, Mesa has successfully secured over $14 million in grant funding to further supplement sustainability efforts. These funds have been utilized for projects ranging from enhancing the City's electric vehicle infrastructure to increasing community sustainability literacy through partnerships with schools.

Looking ahead, Mesa remains committed to driving the MCAP forward with an additional $5.4 million allocated for the fiscal year 24/25. This funding will support projects such as solar and electric vehicle charging for Mesa vehicles, LED lighting conversions, continued work on food waste-to-energy initiatives, and neighborhood tree-planting programs.

As Mesa continues to prioritize sustainable practices and community-focused goals, residents are encouraged to learn more about the city's climate action plan by visiting mesaaz.gov/climateaction.