Since the adoption of its first Climate Action Plan in 2015, San Diego has actively pursued ambitious sustainability goals. The city has successfully reduced per capita greenhouse gas emissions and has partnered with San Diego Community Power to ensure clean energy generation for nearly all residents and businesses. Notably, sustainability efforts are deeply intertwined with equity, and San Diego has made climate equity a defining feature of its policies and programs. The Climate Equity Index (CEI), developed in 2019 and revised in 2021, measures access to opportunities and the potential impacts of climate change across neighborhoods. Using 41 indicators, the CEI identifies ‘’Communities of Concern’’, areas where residents face systemic barriers to opportunity and are more vulnerable to climate change. These communities are prioritized in the city’s policies, funding allocations, and climate initiatives.
Equity challenges
San Diego recognizes that equity challenges such as affordable housing, urban tree canopy expansion, access to clean energy, and food insecurity disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities.
- Housing affordability remains a critical concern, with homelessness interventions often encountering community resistance.
- The need for tree canopy expansion in underserved neighborhoods has been identified as a key environmental justice issue, yet resources remain limited.
- Energy equity and access to affordable decarbonization solutions continue to be central priorities as the city strives to meet its goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.
- Food insecurity also remains a pressing challenge, with one in four residents experiencing difficulty in accessing nutritious food.
Going forward, Equity is embedded across all aspects of San Diego’s sustainability efforts, driven by a dedicated Department of Race and Equity that collaborates closely with the Department of Sustainability and Mobility. The city’s 2024 strategic plan integrates equity considerations into climate action and budget planning, ensuring that historically underserved communities are at the forefront of decision-making processes. The Climate Equity Working Group, composed of local stakeholders, provides ongoing feedback and guidance to ensure that policies reflect the needs and realities of affected communities.
San Diego is committed to a future where sustainability and equity go hand in hand. Through continued investments in affordable housing solutions, expanded urban greening projects, equitable energy policies, and comprehensive food security initiatives, the city aims to create a more inclusive and resilient environment for all residents. Transparency and community engagement remain central to this vision, with the Climate Dashboard serving as a tool to track progress and ensure accountability. As the city advances its equity-driven climate strategies, it remains focused on creating a just and sustainable future for all.
