The Cleveland Municipal Action Plan
The Cleveland Municipal Action Plan (MAP) 2025 update is the City’s internal strategic roadmap to embed sustainability across all municipal operations.
Building on the foundation of the original 2013 plan, this updated strategy outlines how Cleveland’s municipal government will lead by example in the fight against climate change. It is designed to advance sustainability, reduce pollution, and strengthen resilience across all City divisions and departments.
This plan works in tandem with the broader Cleveland Climate Action Plan (CAP) 2025 update, which focuses on community-wide strategies and partnerships to reduce emissions and improve quality of life across Cleveland’s neighborhoods. Together, the CAP and MAP create a unified climate vision—one led by the community and supported by City government action.
Focus Areas:
- Built Environment: Improving energy efficiency, safety, and performance of City-owned buildings.
- Clean Energy: Shifting municipal operations toward renewable and low-emission energy sources.
- Clean Transportation: Expanding low-carbon transportation options and modernizing the City fleet.
- Resilience & Empowerment: Preparing City systems and employees to respond to climate threats and support community well-being.
- Resource Management: Reducing waste and promoting circularity in government operations and procurement.
Water & Green Space: Managing stormwater, protecting Lake Erie, and enhancing access to nature through green infrastructure.
Mayoral Priorities:
In addition, the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability worked with the Mayor’s Administration to identify Mayoral Priority actions within each Focus Area that the City will focus on implementing immediately. These actions closely align with the City’s Strategic Plan, and the City will place additional emphasis on implementing these actions.
Former MAPs
Municipal Action Plan 2013
The Municipal Action Plan 2013, formerly known as the Sustainable Cleveland Municipal Action Plan (SC-MAP), was introduced as the City’s first coordinated strategy to embed sustainability across municipal operations.
Developed as a companion to the community-wide Climate Action Plan, SC-MAP enabled the City of Cleveland to demonstrate how local government could drive sustainability through internal action. It outlined goals, actions, and metrics aligned with the vision of Sustainable Cleveland 2019, a larger initiative to build a thriving, resilient, and inclusive city.
The plan aimed to harness the benefits of sustainability to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, enhance public services, and safeguard vital natural resources like Lake Erie.
Focus Areas Included:
- Design, Construction, & Maintenance
- Energy
- Transportation
- Water
- Materials Management & Purchasing
The planning process began with the launch of the City Green Team in 2012—an interdepartmental collaboration supported by the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability. With national best practices and local insight, the team developed this foundational plan that would guide years of municipal sustainability progress.
This original plan helped Cleveland solidify its role as a climate and sustainability leader—proving that operational excellence, environmental stewardship, and community well-being can go hand in hand.
Awards & Compliances
LEED for Cities Silver Certification
The City of Cleveland achieved LEED Silver Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a global recognition for sustainability and climate action. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the world's most widely used green building rating system, and Cleveland's certification highlights its ongoing commitment to improving quality of life through sustainable practices.
The certification reflects Cleveland’s efforts to implement strategies that enhance energy efficiency, reduce waste, improve transportation, and prioritize health, safety, and equity. By achieving LEED Silver, Cleveland joins over 100 cities globally in tracking and improving sustainability metrics across key areas such as energy, water, waste, and prosperity.
In addition to LEED for buildings, Cleveland also embraced LEED for Cities and Communities, a framework for measuring and tracking sustainability progress at the city level. This system supports the City’s Sustainable Cleveland initiative by enabling ongoing assessment and identification of key areas for improvement, driving continued climate action, and enhancing the overall standard of living for its residents.
Global Covenant of Mayors
The City of Cleveland is fully compliant with the Global Covenant of Mayors and has been recognized for its dedication to advancing climate action in three essential areas: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, identifying and adapting to climate change risks, and increasing access to clean and affordable energy.
Cleveland’s alignment with the Global Covenant of Mayors connects the city to the largest global coalition committed to city climate leadership. This commitment builds on the pledges of over 10,500 cities and local governments across six continents, representing more than 900 million people worldwide.
