The Sustainability and Climate Commission will be a new governance structure for climate action in Portland and serve as the official climate connection to other governance bodies at the City of Portland. It will allow City Council members to continue their legislative work while it helps shape climate action for Portland as it serves as a bridge between staff and elected leaders.
The Sustainability and Climate Commission will guide City climate action and sustainability goals as a new governance structure and champion body for current and future climate work. In their advisory capacity, and through public hearings and discussions, convening joint meetings with other advisory and decision-making bodies, commissioners will review and propose actions to City Council to achieve City-adopted goals to eliminate carbon emissions by 2050 and make Portlanders more resilient, especially communities of color and those most at-risk and vulnerable to impacts of climate change.
Project background
In January 2009, the Sustainable Development Commission and the Planning Commission merged to create the Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC). At that time, the Bureau of Planning and the Office of Sustainable Development merged to create BPS. The PSC had a dual focus, and its responsibilities increased as the need for climate action grew.
In April 2022, an organizational consultant informed City leadership that the PSC needed clarity on its vision, roles, expectations, power and priorities. Commissioner Rubio then directed BPS to split the PSC back into two distinct commissions: planning and sustainability.
In March 2023, the Planning Commission was created, and research phases for the new Sustainability and Climate Commission (SCC) began. The SCC process continues and will form in early 2025.
Project timeline
- Research – Connect with other climate commissions and review previous Portland community input.
- Internal City engagement – Input and comments from City leadership, staff and Climate Preparedness Group.
- Community feedback – Gather input through workgroups, events and surveys.
- City processes – City restructuring vote and move through the City Ordinance approval process.
- Recruitment – Commissioner recruitment, interviews held and appointments made.
- SCC in effect – Commission seated, and work begins.
Research to seat the SCC began in April 2023 and a research draft was issued in May 2023, with briefings on its findings held in June and July 2023. A community kickoff event was held September 2023, and two virtual events were held in November 2023. Staff released a SCC framework proposal for public comment in March 2024, and then updated the proposal for its first reading at City Council in April 2024. Ordinance 191710 creating the Sustainability and Climate Commission and approving its framework was adopted by City Council on May 8, 2024. Recruitment is anticipated to begin late 2024 with the SCC seated with commissioners and beginning meetings in the first half of 2025.