Milwaukee County is taking a significant step toward accountability in the climate crisis by instituting a new advisory board dedicated to the intersecting concerns of environmental and economic equity. The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors endorsed legislation paving the way for this move. The City-County Advisory Board on Climate and Economic Equity was formed, as reported by Milwaukee County’s latest press release.
Comprised of public sector representatives, local environmentalists, labor supporters, and members of the community, this board is tasked with guiding local efforts to create a sustainable and inclusive future. Having fulfilled its mission in June 2023 by releasing the final Climate and Equity Plan, the former City-County Task Force on Climate and Economic Equity has passed the torch to this new entity, which absorbed its transformative vision. Equipped with the ambitious Milwaukee County Climate Action 2050 Plan, the board has its sights set on a future of net zero emissions, as noted by County Executive David Crowley, “The climate crisis is a real, pressing threat to our environment, our economy, our health, and our quality of life. Collaboration and partnership will be key in combatting climate change and promoting environmental sustainability throughout Milwaukee County,” Crowley told Milwaukee County.
County Executive Crowley and Milwaukee County Board Supervisor Anne O’Connor have both hailed this development as a pivotal moment for addressing environmental challenges with an eye toward economic opportunities. Supervisor O’Connor, registering their commitment, further emphasized the drive towards sustainability balanced with social fairness, “The creation of the City-County Advisory Board on Climate and Economic Equity marks an important step forward in our commitment to sustainability, economic opportunity, and environmental justice,” O’Connor expressed in an interview with Milwaukee County.
The board will utilize the final Climate and Equity Plan released by the now-dissolved task force and embed its recommendations into actionable strategies. The advisory board, acting to ensure Milwaukee County's commitment to its climate objectives, is expected to vote later in the year on the full Milwaukee County Climate Action 2050 Plan.
