Tacoma’s future prosperity must go together with environmental sustainability. As a port city with an industrial legacy, Tacoma has faced its share of environmental challenges – from air pollution in the Tide flats to the impacts of climate change on our shoreline. Jesus recognizes that we are responsible for dramatically cutting greenhouse gas emissions and protecting our natural surroundings, all while creating green jobs and ensuring environmental justice. The City Council’s declaration of a climate emergency in 2019 set ambitious goals, and the 2030 Climate Action Plan outlines a path to carbon reduction and resilience. Jesus’s climate agenda will ensure Tacoma meets those targets through bold action:
- 100% Clean Energy & Emissions Reduction: Commit Tacoma to doing its part to achieve Washington State’s mandate of cutting emissions 95% below 1990 levels by 2050. Jesus will accelerate the transition to clean electricity for city operations and the broader community. This means working with Tacoma Public Utilities to expand renewable energy projects (such as solar arrays on city buildings and rooftop solar citywide) and increase the use of carbon-free hydroelectric power. We will push to electrify the city’s vehicle fleet and Metro Parks vehicles, aiming for all new city fleet purchases to be zero-emission by 2030. For the community, we’ll offer rebates for electric heat pumps, solar panels, and e-vehicles for households and businesses. Since transportation accounts for ~44% of Tacoma’s current GHG emissions, we will prioritize strategies like improving public transit, supporting electric car infrastructure, and promoting carpooling/telecommuting to cut vehicle emissions. The goal is to meet or exceed Tacoma’s interim target of 45% GHG reduction by 2030 (relative to 2015 levels), which is aligned with Pierce County’s climate plan.
- Green Jobs & Clean Industry: Fighting climate change is also an economic opportunity. Jesus’s economic plan (see above) emphasizes attracting clean-tech and renewable energy companies. We will establish a Green Jobs Corps training program, partnering with unions and community colleges to prepare workers for jobs in solar installation, energy efficiency retrofitting, urban forestry, and environmental remediation. Tacoma’s port and industrial areas must modernize: Jesus will work with the Port of Tacoma and industry leaders to electrify port operations (such as installing shore power so cargo ships can plug in rather than burn diesel at berth) and cut pollution from trucks and equipment. Any new industrial development should incorporate the best available emissions controls. By positioning Tacoma as a hub for clean industry, we create jobs while cleaning our air and water. Progress will be measured by tracking the growth of green jobs and reductions in industrial emissions (for instance, measuring port air quality improvements annually).
- Sustainable Transportation & Transit: A climate-friendly Tacoma is one where residents have convenient alternatives to driving. Jesus will champion significant investments in public transit and active transportation. We will support Pierce Transit’s expansion and push for more frequent bus service in transit-dependent neighborhoods. Jesus strongly supports Sound Transit’s light rail extension to the Tacoma Dome and ultimately into the city area and will ensure the project stays on track, with equitable development around stations. Meanwhile, we’ll invest in safer bike lanes and pedestrian infrastructure so people can bike/walk to work and school reliably. The city will continue adding electric vehicle charging stations, aiming to double the number of public chargers within 4 years to encourage the EV transition. These efforts cut emissions, reduce traffic congestion, and improve mobility for all. Success will be seen in transit ridership numbers rising, more miles of bike lanes built, and a measurable decrease in vehicle miles traveled by Tacoma residents over time.
- Climate Resilience & Green Infrastructure: Even as we cut emissions, we must prepare for the current climate impact. Tacoma will develop a comprehensive Climate Resilience Plan to address sea-level rise, flooding, extreme heat, and wildfire smoke. This includes shoring up flood defenses in low-lying areas and restoring wetlands as natural buffers, planting thousands of trees (especially in urban neighborhoods with lower canopy cover) to provide cooling and clean air, and creating more cooling centers and clean air shelters for vulnerable residents during heat waves or smoke events. We will upgrade stormwater infrastructure to handle heavy rain events (preventing polluted runoff into Commencement Bay) and encourage green roofs and rain gardens through incentives. In all these efforts, prioritize frontline communities – historically most affected by pollution and least resourced to adapt. Tacoma’s climate plan rightly centers on environmental justice; Jesus will ensure that frontline neighborhoods like South Tacoma and the Eastside get targeted investments (air filters in schools, tree planting, etc.). We will track resilience through metrics like reduced heat islands, improved air quality index days, and fewer households reporting climate-related health impacts.
- Protecting Natural Habitats & Health: Being an environmental leader also means caring for our local ecosystems. Jesus will work to clean up legacy pollution sites (such as the Tide flats Superfund areas) and hold polluting industries accountable to environmental standards. We’ll support the ongoing cleanup of Puget Sound by reducing plastic waste and preventing industrial runoff. Parks and green spaces will be expanded, and projects like the Prairie Line Trail will be completed, and more shorelines will be restored for public access. Additionally, we will collaborate with the Puyallup Tribe and other stakeholders to ensure that development decisions honor treaty rights and protect fisheries and marine life. A healthy Tacoma means residents can safely breathe the air and swim in the Sound. We will measure progress by tracking environmental indicators (e.g. toxics in runoff, beach closure days, tree canopy percentage) and aiming for continuous improvement.
Outcome Metrics: Tacoma’s climate and environmental progress will be transparent. Jesus will publish an annual Climate Report Card tracking key metrics: community GHG emissions, percentage of renewable energy used citywide, number of green jobs created, transit ridership figures, tree canopy coverage, and pollution levels in critical areas. By 2025, the city should see measurable declines in emissions and improvements in air and water quality. The ultimate vision is a Green Tacoma: a city that leads on climate action, where economic growth and environmental stewardship go hand in hand, and where every resident enjoys a healthy environment.