Climate Action | Albemarle County, VA

About the Climate Action Program

Climate change presents a unique challenge and a unique opportunity. It is a challenge in its far-reaching impacts on the planet and society; yet it is also an opportunity to strengthen communities, to promote good jobs, clean air, and clean water for all local residents, and to preserve the natural environment that contributes to our local heritage. Albemarle County established its Climate Program in 2021 to implement the 2020 Climate Action Plan.
Albemarle County stands with cities, counties, and other public and private sector partners throughout the world to advance bold climate action in service of a healthy planet for all and for the prosperity, health, and well-being of our community.
We are a signatory to the “We Are Still In” Declaration, an open letter to the international community committing to our continued support of climate action and the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.

Quick Links

Video Series | Watch interviews with local experts on the impacts of climate change in Albemarle County, prepared in partnership with Piedmont Environmental Council

Albemarle County Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment

Preparing for Resilience - An Overview of Albemarle County Climate Change Impacts

Albemarle County Climate Action Plan

Community Climate Action Grant Program

Why Is Local Climate Action Important?

Local governments are playing a crucial role in addressing climate change: Our knowledge is more rooted in the locale, and we will be the first to respond to community needs in the face of a changing climate. In this way, we as a local government have a responsibility for leadership in reducing the community’s contribution to climate change and charting a sustainable future.

Our Targets

Albemarle County’s target is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the community by 45% from 2008 levels by 2030 and to achieve zero net emissions by 2050.

In line with the County’s overall vision, our climate protection program seeks to achieve these targets in ways that:

Benefit the health of all residents;
Protect the local natural environment;
Stimulate the creation of green jobs to support a thriving local economy;
Promote education on climate action for youth and adults; and
Contribute to a more equitable community, with the benefits of climate action programs easily accessible and affordable for every resident regardless of socio-economic status.

Tracking Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions

2018 Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory

Read the Report
See our Calculations (Download Excel Document)
- 2018
- 2019
- 2020
- 2021
- 2022

Additionally, the Climate Action Program published a report detailing the Program’s work from FY21 to FY25 and summarizing work to be accomplished in FY26:

Albemarle County Climate Action (FY21-FY25)

Climate Action Plan

Albemarle County’s Climate Action Plan is as much about the kind of place we want to live in here in the County as it is about reducing the community’s contributions to global greenhouse gas emissions. The Plan builds on the County’s history of local environmental stewardship and growth management and addresses room for improvement.

The purpose of the Climate Action Plan is to reduce the community’s contributions to global climate change while advancing the County’s vision of a thriving, vibrant community for every resident. In the Plan, we identify a framework of goals, strategies, and actions across five sectors of action:

Transportation & Land Use
Buildings
Renewable Energy Sourcing
Sustainable Materials Management
Landscape, Natural Resources & Agriculture

Equity

Throughout climate action planning, the County is committed to ensuring equity in structure and process, distribution of benefits and burdens, and in acknowledging existing disparities. The following report, prepared by the County’s Office of Equity and Inclusion, provides a set of criteria for centering equity in climate action planning: Creating an Equitable Climate Action Plan in Albemarle County.

Multi-Phase Effort

The County’s climate action planning is a multi-phase, long-term effort. The CAP itself represents the culmination of Phase 1 of that effort.

Phase 2 represents implementation and refinement.

Implementation requires systems thinking and analysis of the most effective ways to reduce emissions as a community, as much and as fast as possible.

Publication of greenhouse gas emissions inventories is required at least biennially.

Refinement of the CAP based on lessons learned along the way.

Adaptation and resilience planning, as implemented through Resilient Together.

Community engagement in ways that support equitable climate action for all community members.

Continuance represents an ongoing process of monitoring climate action efforts and adapting our approach as necessary.

Get Involved

Engage with us

Comments, questions, or suggestions? Contact us at any time at climate@albemarle.org.

Community-Level Action Required

Climate action requires community-wide effort. Individual actions are good, but we will only have the impact required if we work on community-level solutions. Below are some examples of community-level initiatives that you might explore:

Talk to more people about the climate crisis

Gather a group of friends to attend and speak at a Board meeting

Coordinate with peers at the office to carpool

Develop a neighborhood composting group

Invitation to Groups Who Want to Learn More

Are you part of a stakeholder group who would like to learn more about how to support climate action in Albemarle County? Contact us at climate@albemarle.org to inquire about a meeting.

Resources

Climate Solutions and Actions You Can Take

For Educators

Resources for Educators (NASA Global Climate Change)

Teaching Climate (NOAA, Climate.gov)
Climate Change Resources for Students and Teachers (Common Sense Education)

Climate Science and International Cooperation

Local Government Resources

Contact

Have a question or suggestion? Please email us at climate@albemarle.org.

Check Out All Our Amazing Grant Recipients

Thanks to everyone who participated in our Community Climate Action Grants program! All of the projects were creative and inspiring. Click the link below to see what your fellow community members have done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions along with a host of other benefits!