Mission Possible: Greater Cleveland’s sustainability story gets worldwide attention

CLEVELAND — The COP28 UN Climate Change Conference was held in Dubai last month. it is an international response to our planet’s global warming crisis. A place to set goals, assess progress, and refocus efforts. During the conference, Cleveland shared the spotlight.

“We're not alone in this urgency to solve climate change,” said Sarah O'Keeffe, the City of Cleveland Director of Sustainability and Climate Justice.

The City of Cleveland sets goals through the Climate Action Plan. It will be updated this year to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. That’s in line with COP28 goals.

“What that means is, over the next seven years or so, we really need to work to decrease our pollution and air pollutants, carbon pollutants by about 10% each year,” said O’Keeffe.

Increasing use of public transit and a stronger recycling program are just two of the policies in the works. But success requires support from the public and private sectors.

"Metro areas are where solutions happen,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne who attended COP28. “Our companies here locally in this region are substantially contributing to better environmental practices. Some of the manufacturers that are making things in a different way substantially contribute.”

Take Lincoln Electric, which now manufactures EV chargers. And Goodyear just announced its next generation tires for electric vehicles will roll out in May. These tires are comprised of at least 50% sustainable materials.

“It gets me excited because I know that means we're going to meet the moment. We're going to be able to address this through innovation and through creative partnerships,” stated Baiju Shah, the President & CEO of Greater Cleveland Partnership.

Cleveland regrettably captured the world’s spotlight when the Cuyahoga River caught fire decades ago. Bot from it came environmental change. Leaders are confident attention will turn toward our region again, due to positive change.

“Now we want to be known as a region that makes things that matter smarter and greener,” said Shah.

“It's about showing a better practice,” said Ronayne. “And our companies here, regionally, many of them are designing a better future.”

The Greater Cleveland Partnership is holding the second annual Sustainably Summit this Tuesday, January 23rd, at the Huntington Convention Center. Last year, it brought 400 business, civic thought leaders, and changemakers committed to sustainable growth for the region.

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