Climate Partners

Global Change Starts at a Local Level

United in Climate Action - We are a group of partners committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating more resilient communities across the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia, or DMV.

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Climate Partners

Global Change Starts at a Local Level

Learn More

Climate Partners

Global Change Starts at a Local Level

Learn More

Local Climate Initiatives

Regional Climate Initiatives

State Climate Initiatives

National and International Climate Initiatives

Recent News

Dec 9, 2025

Opportunity: Interested in Making a Difference in Climate and Air Quality Issues? Join COG’s Air and Climate Public Advisory Committee!

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) is recruiting members of the public to serve on the Air and Climate Public Advisory Committee (ACPAC). ABOUT ACPAC ACPAC advises COG’s policy committees... Read More

Dec 9, 2025

Climate Clips: Fairfax carbon emissions trending down, despite post-Covid travel uptick

Fairfax County has reduced greenhouse gas emissions nearly 30% since 2005, with officials optimistic the downward trend will continue toward the county’s goals for 2030. See the full story at... Read More

Dec 8, 2025

Resource for Residents: Montgomery County Climate, Energy, and Air Quality Advisory Committee

County Executive Marc Elrich is seeking applicants to fill eight vacancies on the Climate, Energy, and Air Quality Advisory Committee. All members must be technically knowledgeable and interested in climate change, energy,... Read More

Upcoming Events

Dec 17, 2025

VA 2026 General Assembly Preview Webinar

The Virginia General Assembly is gearing up for another fast-paced legislative session, and CBF staff are preparing to work on key initiatives that will benefit water quality for all Virginians.... Read More

Why is it important to work collaboratively and urgently together on climate in the DMV?

“For years, the City of Laurel has been committed to creating a healthy, sustainable environment for our current and future residents. To support and further that goal, we have created the new Environmental Program Manager position to promote and streamline all of our programs to move our community towards a more sustainable future that embraces the foundations of sustainability – economy, society and the environment and work with other local governments to work together to provide a healthy, safe environment for all of our residents.”

Craig A. Moe Mayor
City of Laurel

Why is it important to work collaboratively and urgently together on climate in the DMV?

“Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time--requiring that all of us collaborate and perform at the highest levels to save our planet, region, and communities. Our success lies in innovation, commitment, and regionalism, and Arlington County is pleased to be a part of the [regional] partnership in meeting this challenge.”

Matt de Ferranti Board Chair
Arlington County

Why is it important to work collaboratively and urgently together on climate in the DMV?

“Climate change transcends city, county, and state borders, so I'm grateful to connect with leaders across the DMV to combat climate change and, in turn, strengthen our respective and collective communities when it comes to things like climate action, resilience, energy, electric vehicles, and reducing greenhouse gases.”

Colin Byrd Mayor
City of Greenbelt

Why is it important to work collaboratively and urgently together on climate in the DMV?

“Addressing climate change and ensuring our communities are resilient and sustainable takes all of us working together and doing it now. We have no time waste and working collaboratively we will magnify our impact, enabling us to support each other, and more quickly achieve our goal of creating healthy, sustainable, thriving communities.”

Kate Stewart Mayor
City of Takoma Park

Why is it important to work collaboratively and urgently together on climate in the DMV?

“When it comes to addressing any major initiative, especially when looking to address the harms and devastating effects of the climate crisis, there is never a circumstance where our efforts aren’t strengthened or enhanced by regional coordination. The DMV has come together at a level of inter-jurisdictional cooperation that we have never seen before—this is our opportunity to set the national standard in regional climate policy.”

Mary Cheh Council Member
District of Columbia

Why is it important to work collaboratively and urgently together on climate in the DMV?

“Montgomery County set one of the most ambitious climate goals in the country—eliminating greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. We know we cannot achieve this goal alone. Regional partnership and collaborations on climate and energy strategies are essential for us to meet these goals together. I’m proud of the work we already have underway to reduce emissions, from adopting the Building Energy Benchmarking Law and proposing a Building Energy Performance Standard for existing buildings, establishing the first local-level Green Bank in the nation, and installing solar and microgrid systems to power County facilities, fleet vehicles, and provide community solar power for low-and moderate-income residents.”

Marc Elrich Montgomery County Executive

Why is it important to work collaboratively and urgently together on climate in the DMV?

“The natural environment, greenhouse gas emissions and pollution don’t understand or respect jurisdictional boundaries. And we don't live in a vacuum. We're part of larger system and we all have to work together to make a difference.”

Jud Ashman Mayor
City of Gaithersburg

Why is it important to work collaboratively and urgently together on climate in the DMV?

“Climate, like a number of issues, does not recognize political boundaries. It is in our collective interests to collaborate and work regionally on climate issues. From choices on energy use to local decisions that can impact air or water quality, our communities aren’t isolated...we are interdependent.”

Michael O’Connor Mayor
City of Frederick

Why is it important to work collaboratively and urgently together on climate in the DMV?

“The good news is that we are taking action now—from protecting and restoring our forest cover to powering our electric buses and buildings with solar energy produced on a closed landfill cell. We want to ensure that Frederick County and our region are poised for a bright future for generations to come.”

Jan H. Gardner County Executive
Frederick County

Why is it important to work collaboratively and urgently together on climate in the DMV?

“The region’s air quality has improved in the past decade thanks to the dedication and hard work of many. If everyone continues to make positive changes in their everyday lives, we can ensure a healthy and clean Baltimore-Washington, D.C., region in the years to come.”

Fatemeh Allahdoust Chair
Clean Air Partners

Why is it important to work collaboratively and urgently together on climate in the DMV?

“As cities and counties worldwide scramble to juggle the overlapping and urgent issues of COVID-19 and climate change, it’s especially notable the leadership taken by [metropolitan Washington] to proactively measure, track and publicly disclose progress on climate action. Such collaborative action at a regional scale is key to mitigating the worst effects of climate change and ensuring healthy, equitable and sustainable places for people to live, work and play.”

Katie Walsh Head of Cities, States and Regions
CDP North America

Why is it important to work collaboratively and urgently together on climate in the DMV?

“The region has earned global recognition for its work on climate… but we must act urgently at the local level—and with equity top of mind—to meet our regional climate goals and avoid the most severe climate impacts.”

Deni Taveras Chair
Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Climate, Energy and Environment Policy Committee and Prince George’s County Council Member