Origin + Mission
NET ZERO BY 2050
Climate Action KC (CAKC) is a 501c3 organization dedicated to supporting the Kansas City region in achieving its net zero goals through collaboration and decisive action. CAKC brings together over 100 local and state elected officials, as well as leaders from significant civic, nonprofit, public, and corporate organizations. Founded by Mike Kelly and Lindsey Constance, CAKC was established with a vision of regional coordination. 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. This plan included an in-depth Emissions Inventory and Climate Risk & Vulnerability Assessment. CAKC has outlined a roadmap to achieve Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050, with intermediate net zero targets:
- Regional energy generation by 2025
- All homes and buildings by 2040
- Economy wide by 2050
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.
In 2021, CAKC introduced the Building Energy Exchange KC (BE-Ex KC) initiative. Recognizing that 63% of the region’s emissions stem from the building sector, BE-Ex KC was developed through a collaborative effort between the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) and Climate Action KC. Its primary aim is to facilitate the transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in buildings by 2050.
In 2024, CAKC launched Plug-in KC, an initiative supporting the electrification of Kansas City’s transportation sector. This sector currently accounts for 34% of the region’s emissions.
As Climate Action KC continues to expand, our focus remains on fostering a clean energy economy across Kansas City to help the region achieve its net zero target by 2050. The groundbreaking funding opportunities presented by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have the potential to transform the Heartland, and Climate Action KC is committed to making this transformation a reality.
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
Coalition made up of more than 100 local and state elected officials, and leaders from many significant civic, nonprofit, public and corporate organizations.
Current Efforts
Engaging with stakeholders and leaders to the 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.
Supporting efforts to transition municipalities to 100% carbon free energy.
Scaling and enhancing the Building Energy Exchange Program and Plug-In KC initiative and their impacts.
Learn More
Building Energy Exchange Kansas City (BE-Ex KC for short) 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 by 2050. The formation of BE-Ex KC has been guided by the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT) with generous financial support from the Leon Lowenstein Foundation and Evergy to initiate its launch.
