Rockville is one of the leading municipalities in Maryland that has made a formal commitment to move its operations and community toward a more sustainable future. In January 2022, the Mayor and Council adopted Rockville’s first Climate Action Plan, with goals to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG), prioritize equity, and build resiliency. Building on Rockville’s award-winning sustainability program, the plan sets a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% (from 2005) by 2030 and approach carbon neutrality by 2050 through 42 actions that will guide city policies, programs, plans, and investments over the next five to ten years.
Progress Dashboard and Annual Reports
Track the city’s progress in the Climate Action Plan Dashboard.
Overview
The plan identifies seven categories of climate actions to address the main GHG sources found in the community inventory, strengthen community resiliency, promote equity, and guide public involvement and oversight. Visit the Take Action on Climate Change page to learn how you can help.
- Energy Efficiency: Increase energy conservation and reduce fossil fuel use in all buildings and infrastructure.
- Renewable Energy: Increase the generation, use, and access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy systems.
- Transportation: Expand safe, efficient, affordable, and equitable multimodal transportation options that utilize clean and efficient energy sources.
- Land Management: Maximize the economic and social benefits of land by maintaining or enhancing ecological health to ensure resiliency.
- Waste and Materials: Manage solid waste by reducing, reusing, recycling, composting, and purchasing sustainably.
- Resiliency: Improve the capacity of our overall communities to handle more frequent and intense heat waves, droughts, heavy rainfall, and severe storms.
- Public Engagement and Oversight: Conduct inclusive and equitable public engagement and establish systems tracking to encourage participation and support plan success.
Goals
Reduce Greenhouse Gas
Reduce GHG emissions from the community and municipal government operations to at least 50% below 2005 levels by 2030 to be on track to reach net zero by or before 2050. Rockville’s GHG emissions are mainly derived from energy used by the transportation and buildings sectors. The Climate Action Plan contains a list of feasible mitigation actions to reduce GHG emissions from the community and municipal operations.
Prioritize Equity
Incorporate equity in implementation and conduct inclusive engagement to reduce environmental disparities and protect and empower vulnerable communities. The city is committed to incorporating social equity and considering residents that are most vulnerable to climate change. We’re looking for community partners to help us engage with all members of our community in the implementation of the Climate Action Plan.
Build Resiliency
Improve the capacity of our community, homes, businesses, and natural environment to prevent, withstand, respond to, and recover from climate change impacts such as rising temperatures, more frequent and intense heat waves, drought, heavy rainfall, and severe storms. These effects have implications on our infrastructure, our economy, and public health. The Climate Action Plan will evaluate Rockville’s climate-related risks and vulnerabilities and work with community stakeholders to improve community adaptation and resiliency.
Awards and Recognition
Rockville has received the following awards and recognition for its past climate action and sustainability efforts:
- Certified Community Wildlife Habitat
- Sustainable Maryland Certified Community: Read our latest certification report.
- Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund Grant
- Maryland Smart Energy Community
- Green Power Community and Leadership Club
- COG Climate and Energy Leadership Award
- Bethesda Magazine Green Award
- College Gardens Park Awards
Contact
Amanda Campbell
Public Works Department
Environmental Management Division
240-314-8871
acampbell@rockvillemd.gov
Hours
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.