Utah’s capital city first implemented climate policies a little over two decades ago, the same year it hosted the Winter Olympics and Paralympics for the first time.
Twenty-three years later, Salt Lake City is now seeking to expand on its initial efforts as it continues to grow and as it prepares to host the Winter Games again.
City officials unveiled a new initiative called "Climate Forward SLC" on Monday, aiming to be the next chapter in addressing climate issues. The ultimate goal is to create a plan that helps the city reach its existing goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% over the next 15 years, while improving air quality and addressing other climate-related issues like drought and fire across neighborhoods.
The new plan is expected to be compiled over the next year before it’s possibly adopted by the second half of 2026.
“At a time when other levels of government are disinvesting from programs to cut pollution and tackle climate change, we know local government needs to continue stepping up, and we are,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, in a statement. “Air pollution, wildfires, drought, heat – all of these impacts are felt across Salt Lake City, and they affect our health, resiliency, economy and the well-being of our families.”
Climate Forward SLC outlines three key goals heading the planning process. It starts with reaffirming an existing effort of reaching 100% renewable energy by 2030, and reaching an 80% reduction in emissions by 2040. Both targets are outlined in the city’s most recent climate policy, which leaders adopted almost a decade ago, and last updated in 2019.
Salt Lake City has made progress since then, tapping into the 80-megawatt Elektron solar farm in Tooele County that became operational last year. The facility helps the city meet 80% to 85% its electricity needs at municipal-owned buildings. It opened a new airport in 2020, which also received LEED Gold certification for its efficiency, water conservation and emission reduction efforts.
The city has also expanded access to transit passes, added more bike lanes and added more electric vehicle charging stations. However, it’s also grown from an estimated population of nearly 195,000 in 2016 to almost 218,000 in 2024, per the Census Bureau. Add the record growth of the airport and the creation of an inland port, and there are many more planes, trains and automobiles in the city.
The updated plan seeks to address changes over the past decade, so that the city can “fill in gaps missing or ongoing actions needed to meet (the) city’s climate goals,” per the city’s website. Officials add it will also aim to make the process efficient by highlighting strategies “that cut emissions, save money, create jobs and build healthier, more resilient neighborhoods.”
City officials have already launched in-person and online surveys to gather public opinion during the planning process. It asks residents to rank the importance of various citywide issues, including climate change; which types of disasters are most concerning; what types of emission-reducing technologies residents would consider; and how to ease barriers to accessing them, among other things.
The survey will remain open through Oct. 31.
“We want to hear your ideas and concerns as the city aligns its strategies to cut pollution and make our city as resilient as possible to climate impacts,” said Debbie Lyons, Salt Lake City’s sustainability director.
City officials plan to review the survey data in November before piecing together a Climate Forward SLC plan, which the Salt Lake City Council will consider adopting next year.