U.S. States and Cities Keep Climate Change Efforts Alive

Despite the Trump administration’s efforts, U.S. cities and states continue with measures to keep the climate change battle alive.

“Across the country, regional governments are demonstrating that bold climate action doesn’t have to wait for Washington,” says One Earth, a global network of climate researchers. “They are implementing policies that expand renewable energy, protect natural ecosystems, and promote regenerative agriculture.”

America Is All In, a coalition of climate-concerned states and cities, planned to send “more than 100 U.S. subnational leaders – including governors, senior state officials, nearly 40 mayors and dozens of city officials – to the climate talks known as Cop30 (November 10-21, 2025) and the UN Local Leaders Forum planned for the days before,” said Gina McCarthy, co-chair of the group and former EPA leader, according to The Guardian.

Another group, the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), representing more than 180 U.S. House of Representatives members, “aims to deploy them in their ‘soft power’ role to promote climate action,” Earth.Org explains. “Although the 17 members of Congress who prepared to go to COP30 were forced to remain home to vote on the US government shutdown, Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island did attend – the only U.S. federal representative in Belém,” Brazil.

“Whether the federal administration is in or out or lukewarm, the U.S. states have always been coming to the COP. And this year is no exception in 2025,” said Amy Holm, executive director of the Climate Registry, according to Earth.Org. “The U.S. states are here to tell their story of climate action, that they’re still implementing in their jurisdictions, whether it be clean energy, transportation, affordability, land use, all those things are going on in jurisdictions all across the United States.”

Some examples of states and cities leading the way include:

• California
• Chicago
• Detroit
• Massachusetts
• New Mexico
• New York
• Vermont
• Wyoming

California

California continues to lead climate change efforts. “[In] 2024, the state consistently generated more than 100% of its electricity demand from renewable sources,” One Earth notes.

The Golden State was also one of the first U.S. states to commit to the global 30×30 movement, which ensures data-driven, transparent conservation efforts. As One Earth explains, “California has allocated billions of dollars through conservation bonds and budget appropriations to support habitat restoration, wildlife corridors and Indigenous-led conservation projects.”

Chicago

The city has converted all 400+ of its municipal buildings to use renewable energy.

Chicago has also “established long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) that guarantee stable electricity rates while supporting renewable energy infrastructure,” continues One Earth. “Moreover, workforce development programs funded through this transition provide training for local residents, ensuring equitable access to green jobs as part of the city’s energy transformation.”

Detroit

Detroit has achieved notice for its approximately 1,400 urban community gardens and farms. “These initiatives have been supported by progressive zoning policies that allow urban farming on vacant land, city-backed land banks that provide affordable access to property and local ordinances promoting community-led agriculture.”

Massachusetts

Massachusetts’ efforts have focused on reducing food waste.

“Since its initial implementation in 2014 and expansion in 2022, the state has increased its annual diversion of food waste from 100,000 tons to 380,000 tons, reducing emissions from food waste by 25%. By 2030, the goal is to divert 780,000 tons per year,” One Earth says. “The state’s success is attributed to clear regulatory requirements, accessible composting infrastructure, and strong enforcement mechanisms, including fines for non-compliance. The integration of food waste reduction into climate policy highlights how waste management reforms can be a key strategy for emissions reduction.”

New Mexico

New Mexico has “committed to an energy transition where we are a net zero carbon emitter by 2045, with a 50% reduction by 2035,” says Andrea Desiree Romero, a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives. “We’re doing a lot on the energy investment side, and we have a huge startup community in the advanced energy space. We have $1 billion in venture capital for new company investments in spaces that help us solve these problems.”

New York

New York has implemented a new law that decrees schools must be built far removed from high-pollution roadways and expanded “the state’s 10-year-old fracking ban to outlaw the process of injecting liquified carbon dioxide to pull gas from the ground,” according to a January 30, 2025, article in The Guardian. “Days after Trump’s election, [New York Governor Kathy] Hochul also abruptly resurrected a plan to enact a toll for driving in congested zones, and … pledged to allocate [$1 billion] to greening the economy.”

Vermont

Vermont passed legislation in 2024 that requires Green Mountain Power, the state’s largest utility, to provide 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035 and places a 2035 deadline upon smaller utilities to achieve the same sourcing.

“This builds upon Vermont’s Global Warming Solutions Act, which mandates legally binding emission reductions to help the state achieve net-zero emissions by 2050,” One Earth explains. “To meet these targets, Vermont has prioritized investments in local renewable energy projects, including small-scale community solar and wind initiatives that keep energy dollars circulating within the state. Additionally, policies such as Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and tax incentives for residential solar installations have facilitated Vermont’s clean energy transition while ensuring affordability for consumers.”

Wyoming

In November 2024, Wyoming concluded years of negotiations to sell “a square-mile parcel of state-owned land within Grand Teton National Park to the federal government for $100 million. This landmark decision, finalized after years of negotiation, permanently protects the land within the national park system. The deal, made possible through bipartisan collaboration, relied on a combination of federal conservation funds and private donations from organizations dedicated to land protection. The revenue generated from the sale is directed toward public education in Wyoming, demonstrating how conservation efforts can deliver economic benefits while preserving critical landscapes.”