This was a groundbreaking year for climate action in King County, with the Executive Climate Office (ECO) charting new firsts for climate justice, preparedness, and resilience. ECO also secured more than $60 million in state and federal grants to reduce emissions, provide green infrastructure and increase collaboration among governments, tribes and community groups. King County Executive Dow Constantine launched the office in 2023 to unify and accelerate the county’s efforts on climate action.
ENGAGED COMMUNITIES TO DEVELOP 2025 STRATEGIC CLIMATE ACTION PLAN: The county’s Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP) outlines priorities and commitments for climate action, including efforts to support community resilience, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for climate change impacts and develop green career pathways. In 2024, ECO coordinated three workshops with over 100 subject matter experts, coordinated a climate equity group screening, conducted an online survey and held public meetings to ensure it reflects the communities it serves.
SECURED $2M NOAA GRANT TO IMPROVE REGIONAL CLIMATE RESILIENCE: The grant will facilitate regional collaboration for better resilience outcomes in the Puget Sound Basin. Funding will cover costs of staffing and programming support for the Puget Sound Climate Preparedness Collaborative, a network of governments, tribes, regional agencies and other organizations working to build community, economic and environmental resilience to climate change. That includes partnering with Coast Salish tribes to increase regional understanding of climate change impacts and establishing a knowledge base of climate preparedness resources.
RELEASED COUNTY’S FIRST EXTREME HEAT STRATEGY TO INCREASE CLIMATE RESILIENCE: The strategy includes 20 immediate and long-term actions to serve as guidance for King County and local partners to improve public health by equitably preparing for and reducing the impacts of extreme heat waves. Actions range from increasing tree cover and green space to offering energy-efficient upgrades for households. You can view the strategy here.
CREATED CLIMATE WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAM, RESULTING IN JOB PLACEMENTS: King County’s new JumpStart program helps young adults from underrepresented communities start careers in clean energy and the skilled trades. This year, ECO connected participants to workshops on climate and matched trainees with local electrical, HVAC, and related contractors for paid, work-based learning. Several graduates of the program secured full-time job offers with partner contractors.
CENTERED COMMUNITY IN CLIMATE EQUITY EFFORTS: King County awarded five grassroots organizations with grants to expand their climate justice projects in the first round of Community Climate Resilience grants. ECO also conducted equity screenings for several programs in coordination with the Climate Equity Community Task Force, a group of community leaders who represent frontline communities and organizations across greater King County. These projects ensured voices of people most impacted by climate change would be centered in the county’s work on preparedness and resilience.
EXPANDED ENERGIZE PROGRAM TO REDUCE FOSSIL FUEL USE: The program, piloted in 2023 and officially launched in 2024, installs free and low-cost heat pumps in more than 100 low- and moderate-income homes in Skyway and White Center. The program gives more families access to an efficient, environmentally friendly way to heat and cool their home using clean electricity. Eligible neighborhoods are among those found most vulnerable in a study of heat disparities in King County – another issue ECO has been working to address. Learn how to access the program here.
ANNOUNCED NEW INVESTMENTS IN EV CHARGING ACROSS REGION: The county secured $6 million in funding from the state Commerce Department to fund more than 400 new charging ports across King County, including at community centers, fire stations, residential buildings, retail centers and Metro bus bases. The chargers will empower drivers choosing to reduce their fossil fuel use and ensure resilient infrastructure as the EV market expands.
SECURED $50M EPA GRANT TO REDUCE POLLUTION FROM BUILDINGS: The Climate Pollution Reduction Act grant, announced by Executive Constantine in July, will fund work to reduce emissions from buildings in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Programs will work to reduce embodied carbon emissions in new building construction and create systems to reuse wood at the end of a building’s life to avoid emissions.
HELD GREEN JOBS, GREEN FUTURES SUMMIT: The Green Jobs, Green Futures Summit united local green businesses, job seekers, employers and residents interested in learning more about the green economy. The interactive one-day event offered a space to create community connections and showcase local green businesses.
CONDUCTED CLIMATE JUSTICE LEARNING SERIES: ECO’s Climate Equity team presented Climate Justice Learning Series workshops focused on engaging frontline communities and King County staff. Topics included City Planning and Environmental Justice, Energy Justice 101, Indigenous People’s History & Rights 101 and a session about Sustainable Living.
Thank you to all of the partners that made these milestones possible! We look forward to collaborating on more projects in the New Year to reduce emissions and support resilient frontline communities.
King County Executive Climate Office (ECO) 