In Central New York, four municipalities have received grants totaling over $600,000 to aid in climate change adaptation and greenhouse gas mitigation projects. This funding is part of New York State’s Climate Smart Communities grant program, which announced over $7.3 million in funding for municipalities statewide. The initiative supports local projects aimed at reducing flood risk, increasing resilience, and enhancing critical infrastructure to meet emission-reduction goals set by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

Under the Climate Act, New York is mandated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. These grants help communities like those in Central New York certify as Climate Smart Communities for their climate initiatives, fostering stronger and more resilient environments while creating green jobs and safeguarding the well-being of residents.

The Central New York 2023 Climate Smart Communities grant recipients include the Village of Fayetteville, Onondaga County, Village of Skaneateles, and City of Syracuse. Each project aims to enhance pedestrian infrastructure, update greenhouse gas inventories and climate action plans, and establish emission reduction targets to combat climate change. This funding is made possible through the State’s Environmental Protection Fund and the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022.