Sustainability & Climate Justice Commission

The City of Ithaca's Sustainability & Climate Justice Commission met on September 15, 2026, to discuss several topics related to climate action and community sustainability efforts. Key procurement-related discussions included the participatory budgeting process, where the commission reviewed a recommendation memo supporting the allocation of 10% of the capital project budget to participatory budgeting as part of the city's climate justice initiatives. Although no formal vote was taken due to lack of quorum, members discussed the importance of timely council action to align with the budget cycle. The commission also received an update on the County's Climate Action Plan, emphasizing community feedback and potential county support for distributed energy resources and climate resilience projects. Additionally, the meeting covered challenges with the Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program, including a recent state report recommending its discontinuation, and explored alternative energy strategies. The commission planned to continue engagement on these issues, with a follow-up meeting tentatively scheduled for October 5, 2026.