Atlanta was selected by Bloomberg Philanthropies as one of 25 U.S. cities to join Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities.
The program is a three-year initiative designed to leverage historic levels of federal funding to incubate and implement transformative local solutions to build low-carbon, resilient and economically thriving communities.
The $200 million Bloomberg Philanthropies initiative will provide deep support to selected cities to pursue solutions in the buildings and transportation sectors through partnerships with PolicyLink, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, and Natural Resources Defense Council.
Atlanta will receive a Bloomberg Philanthropies-funded innovation team (i-team) with up to three dedicated staff with expertise in data analysis, insight development, human-centered design, systems thinking and project management to bolster city capacity in driving progress on climate mitigation and promoting equitable outcomes.
The city will also receive multi-year, in-depth, customized policy and technical assistance in collaboration with community-based organizations to mobilize public, private and philanthropic investments.
“Like many of our efforts, reaching our sustainability and equity goals is a group project and we look forward to participating in Bloomberg’s American Sustainable Cities Challenge. This is an opportunity for us to collaborate with cities facing similar challenges, share best practices and tap into resources to fight climate change and enhance the quality of life for all Atlantans,” Mayor Dickens said in a press release.
Chandra Farley, Atlanta’s Chief Sustainability Officer. called the selection an “exciting activation.”
“If the clean energy transition is to be truly just for all, we must view our climate actions as an opportunity to address racial wealth inequity,” Farley said. For Atlanta, the cradle of the civil rights movement, we are well positioned to lead the way.”