NORTHEAST OHIO AREAWIDE COORDINATING AGENCY
About NOACA's Climate Pollution Reduction Program
This program advances NOACA’s efforts toward the development, implementation and maintenance of a framework and plan for climate action (climate pollution reduction) to reduce emissions pollution that cause climate impacts and harm human health, mitigate the effects of extreme weather, adapt to changes that may occur, particularly relative to infrastructure, and build resilience. These efforts will prepare the region to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions and develop projects and activities to increase resilience in the face of challenging climate conditions.
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NOACA staff will support member communities as they develop local plans, projects, and enact local regulation and policy consistent with regional goals. A primary objective of a regional framework and plan for climate action (climate pollution reduction) is to create a foundation for transformative solutions that will enhance equity across the region, especially as defined by geographic and demographic disparities in exposure to climate pollutants and hazards, and particularly as it relates to clean air and clean water as well as sound and reliable infrastructure.
When completed and adopted, NOACA will coordinate the programming and implementation of its approved framework and plan that will integrate local initiatives and identify opportunities to develop additional programs and policies at the regional scale. Work completed, principally mitigation and adaptation strategies identified within this program, will result in significant health, economic and quality-of-life benefits to residents, businesses and workers. It could also have national and global co-benefits with regional goals aligned with federal requirements related to climate action.
Moreover, alignment with federal requirements will be necessary to be eligible for significant funding available through recent congressional action approving the “Climate Pollution Reduction Program”. Coordinated planning at the regional scale resulting in a framework and plan for climate action (climate pollution reduction) will enable Northeast Ohio to compete for and receive future funding allocated for projects to adapt infrastructure and systems to meet future needs. A guiding principle for this effort is the creation of a structure that enables coordination and collaboration within the region that lessens the burden on local communities.
NOACA undertakes this work as part of the implementation of eNEO2050, the long-range plan that the NOACA Board adopted in 2021.
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Importantly, residents will have the chance to help shape climate planning by providing feedback on the plan's core components. NOACA will introduce an engagement process so we can work together to reach a low carbon future that supports the national goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
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With the help of its stakeholders, NOACA will follow a public engagement process to -INFORM -CONSULT -INVOLVE -COLLABORATE -EMPOWER throughout decision-making.
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NOACA'S Climate Action Planning Process
Taking Action on Climate Change
In December 2015, leaders of 196 countries adopted the Paris Agreement, which calls for holding global warming to well below 2°C, with a goal of staying below 1.5°C.” To remain below 2°C, global GHG emissions must peak by 2030, decline approximately 40-70% by 2050 (compared to 2010 levels), and reach near-zero levels by 2100. In 2020, President Joe Biden committed the United States to cutting its GHGs 50-52% by 2030, compared to a 2005 baseline.
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Achieving this commitment will require action at all levels of government, including the metropolitan or regional level. To date, the City of Cleveland, City of Lakewood, City of Oberlin, Cuyahoga County, and the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) have all completed or are completing their own CAPs. NOACA’s regional CAP will incorporate and build upon the goals and actions outlined in these plans.