Origin + Mission
Progress Through Local Action
Climate Action KC (CAKC) is a 501c3 organization dedicated to supporting the Kansas City region in achieving its climate action goals through collaboration and decisive action.
Our Vision: A net zero heartland before 2050
Our Mission: Catalyzing cooperative climate action across the Kansas City region
CAKC brings together over 100 local and state elected officials, as well as leaders from significant civic, nonprofit, public, and corporate organizations. Founded by then Roeland Park Mayor Mike Kelly and then Shawnee City Councilmember Lindsey Constance, CAKC was established with a belief that regional coordination makes swifter and more substantial progress possible. Since its founding, the organization has experienced rapid growth to meet the exceptional demand for climate action.
In 2020, Climate Action KC partnered with the Global Covenant of Mayors and the Mid-America Regional Council to develop a comprehensive Climate Action Plan for the region. Since its launch, the Climate Action Plan and its goals have been endorsed or adopted by 19 different governments across the KC Region, serving 83% of the population. An update of the plan is currently underway – the plan includes an in-depth Emissions Inventory and Climate Risk & Vulnerability Assessment and strategies for everyone in our region to use to reduce our emissions and build healthier communities, more efficient buildings and more resilient natural environments.
CAKC has outlined a roadmap to achieve Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050, with intermediate net zero targets:
- Regional energy generation by 2035
- All homes and buildings by 2040
- Economy wide by 2050
As Climate Action KC continues to expand, our focus remains on building collaboration to implement the local solutions we know will build the future our region deserves. Working with government, industry and non-profit leaders, community organizers, and local advocates, Climate Action KC is creating space, defining solutions, and removing barriers for real change.
NET ZERO BY 2050
Climate Action KC is a 501c3 organization, aimed at helping the Kansas City region reach its net zero goals through collaboration and action. CAKC acts as a coalition, comprised of over more than 100 local and state elected officials, and leaders from many significant civic, nonprofit, public and corporate organizations. Founders and CAKC Board members Mike Kelly and Lindsey Constance established the organization with a vision of regional coordination. Since its inception four years ago, CAKC has grown rapidly to meet the extraordinary demand that climate action requires.
In 2020, Climate Action KC partnered with the Global Covenant of Mayors, the IURC, and the Mid-America Regional Council to complete a regional Climate Action Plan, including a comprehensive Emissions Inventory and Climate Risk & Vulnerability Assessment. CAKC has established a plan to reach Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050, with underlying net zero goals for all regional local governments by 2030, regional energy generation by 2035, and all homes and buildings by 2040. Since launching the plan, 19 local governments across the region, serving 83% of the population, have endorsed or adopted the Climate Action Plan and its goals.
In 2021, CAKC launched the Building Energy Exchange KC. With 63% of the region’s emissions coming from the building sector, Building Energy Exchange Kansas City (BE-Ex KC) was borne out of joint efforts by Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) and Climate Action KC to help the region achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in buildings by 2050. In 2023, CAKC will launch a new initiative— Plug in KC— to support the electrification of Kansas City’s transportation sector, which represents over 30% of the region’s emissions.
With a bold, collective goal of reaching net zero by 2050, Climate Action KC is focused on building out a clean energy economy across the Kansas City Region. The historic funding opportunities presented by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are set to transform the heartland— and Climate Action KC is here to make it happen.
Who We Are
A coalition made up of more than 100 local and state elected officials, leaders from civic, nonprofit, public and corporate organizations and local residents championing market transformation, prosperous economies, a bright future and heathier future.
Current Efforts
Engaging with stakeholders and leaders to the implement Regional Climate Action Plan.
Expanding the number of elected officials, leaders and advocates we work with in order to ensure representation across all cities and counties in the Kansas City metro region.
Creating space for the conversations that will identify strategies to remove barriers to market transformation in the public and private sectors.
Scaling and enhancing the Building Energy Exchange Program and Plug-In KC initiative and their impacts.