We are deeply grateful for the work of the Vermont Climate Council, which has put in an immense amount of effort towards creating a Climate Action Plan for the state – the first draft of which is due on December 1st of this year. Members of the Council, subcommittees, and public engagement team have put in countless hours of research, coordination (mostly remotely, due to the ongoing pandemic), video conferencing, and hosting public hearings to engage Vermonters in this critical topic. We at VPIRG have been following this work while mobilizing our members and supporters to engage with the Council as much as they were able.
In recognition of the Council\’s work, happening at the same time world leaders gather at COP26 climate negotiations in Glasgow, VPIRG, Renewable Energy Vermont, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, Vermont Conservation Voters, and the Vermont Natural Resources Council submitted a letter to the Climate Council with five key priorities for consideration. We see these five areas, which have been identified by the Council, as fundamental to climate action that improves our state\’s environment and economy in an equitable way. And we will push for them to be included in the Climate Action Plan and acted on by the legislature and Scott Administration in 2022. Read the full letter below: