What is the Sustainability & Climate Commission (SCC)?

Portland’s Planning & Sustainability Commission is splitting into two groups — with one group being this new Sustainability & Climate Commission, and the other group being the Planning Commission (which is already active). Splitting into these two groups was a necessary step for the City to give more attention to sustainability and climate issues.

The SCC will be a 20-member appointed body of volunteers with the following goals:

• Reset the scope and expectations for a body focused on sustainability and climate.
• Establish a new authority on sustainability and climate.
• Create accountability for the City and its service areas, as well as the Portland community.
• Create the City’s Climate Action Plan and other guiding documents on climate.
• Advance the City’s efforts to mitigate the human-made climate crisis and prioritize environmental justice initiatives.
• Ensure the City is on track to meet established climate goals.
• Balance advisory, advocacy, and action in its charge.

Members of the commission will include 4 youth and people with the following subject expertise: Buildings and homes, Climate resiliency, Energy and renewable, Environmental justice and equity, Urban forest, natural systems, and carbon management, Urban form and transportation, Waste prevention, recycling, and solid waste.

In submitting public comments, our main goals are to:

1.  Let the City of Portland know that we support the forming of the Sustainability & Climate Commission

2.  Call on the City to further prioritize climate, environmental justice, and sustainability across all Portland’s bureaus, service areas, and programs

3.  Call on the City to select commissioners for the SCC based on clear criteria and a transparent & democratic process, make sure the SCC has adequate authority to hold the City accountable to follow through on recommendations that are adopted, and make sure that bureaus and service areas receive enough funding to implement climate policies