About the Sustainability and Climate Commission

Purpose

The Sustainability and Climate Commission (Commission) advances Portland's climate action and outcomes with a focus on environmental justice and accountability.  The Commission also directly supports the City's Sustainability Office in the creation, goal setting, development, community engagement and evaluation of the City's Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP lays out what Portland needs to do to reduce emissions and prepare for a changing climate. 

Roles and responsibilities

The Commission reports to the Chief Sustainability Officer and advises City Council, the Mayor, and the City Administrator. The Commission can:

• Hold public hearings and work sessions to develop and evaluate the CAP;
• Form committees and joint committees;
• Advise City leaders on climate policy, budget decisions, and implementation;
• Recommend concrete actions for City leaders to take;
• Give Portlanders a real forum to weigh in on climate policies and programs;
• Track how the City is doing on its past and current climate commitments and push for follow-through; and
• Advocate to outside organizations and agencies whose decisions affect Portland's climate goals.

Membership

The Commission has up to 20 members, including four seats set aside for young people ages 16 to 24. Members cannot be elected officials or City staff — this is a commission of everyday Portlanders. 

Membership is meant to reflect Portland itself: its diversity, its neighborhoods, its economic range. At least two members come from each of the city's four geographic districts.Every member brings expertise or lived experience with sustainability and climate issues, an understanding of climate science, and a commitment to collaborative local action.

The Mayor appoints members with input from the Chief Sustainability Officer, and City Council confirms their appointments. 

For a list of members with biographies, visit: Meet the Sustainability and Climate Commission.

History

• January 2009: The Bureau of Planning and the Office of Sustainable Development merged to form the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS). At the same time, the Sustainable Development Commission and the Planning Commission merged to create the Planning and Sustainability Commission (PSC). The PSC had a dual focus, and its responsibilities grew as climate action needs increased.
• April 2022: An organizational consultant advised City leadership that the PSC needed a clearer vision, roles, expectations, authority, and priorities. Commissioner Carmen Rubio directed BPS to split the PSC into two seperate commissions: one for planning and one for sustainability.
• March 2023: The City created the Planning Commission and began research for a new Sustainability and Climate Commission.
• May 2024: The City Council approved the Sustainability and Climate Commission and its framework through Ordinance 191710.
• Fall 2024: The City opened recruitment, and 245 community members applied to serve on the inaugural Sustainability and Climate Commission.
• March 2025: The Chief Sustainability Officer submitted recommendations to the Mayor.
• May 2025: City Council confirmed the first appointments.