Climate Finance | September 19, 2018

Bloomberg Philanthropies selects Seattle and Atlanta for climate-challenge accelerator

Roodgally Senatus
ImpactAlpha Editor

Roodgally Senatus

ImpactAlpha, September 19 – The $70 million Bloomberg climate challenge seeks to promote sustainability and climate change awareness in 20 American cities. Seattle and Atlanta are the first two winners of the challenge, and will join a two-year acceleration program providing access and resources to meet short-term carbon reduction goals. Each city is eligible for up $2.5 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Seattle will use the funding to achieve energy efficiency and reach other sustainability goals by 2030. Atlanta will use the support to promote an affordable, resilient and equitable city for all residents by 2020.

The climate challenge is part of Bloomberg’s American Cities Initiative. Michael Bloomberg, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Action and former mayor of New York City, launched the $200 million initiative following pres. Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement.

The challenge is designed to help mayors reach climate goals, Michael Bloomberg said. “We were looking for cities with ambitious and realistic plans to cut emissions in ways that improve people’s lives, and mayors committed to getting the job done,” he said.