Bend’s climate journey

History and key milestones of our community’s journey towards a cleaner, safer, and more affordable Bend.

Climate advocacy in Bend is rooted in a long-standing tradition of environmental concern and action in Oregon.

Long before “climate change”, indigenous communities in the region have held traditional ecological knowledge and practices that demonstrate sustainable stewardship of the land.

Blessed with natural resources, Oregonian’s have long been concerned about forest health, water quality, and sustainability. Growth of outdoor recreation in Bend has also created a community that is very concerned with the health of the outdoor environment.

In recent decades, there has been a growing awareness of fossil fuel driven climate change, leading to increased advocacy efforts and support for sustainable practices in Bend.

Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) — 2019

The years leading up to 2017 saw a growing awareness of climate change, leading to increased advocacy efforts in Bend. In 2018, the City of Bend formed a committee of 13 community members, the Climate Action Steering Committee. This committee was instrumental in developing The Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP), a comprehensive plan which outlines goals to reduce fossil fuel use and promote sustainability. The plan was approved in 2019 and is a central component of Bend's climate advocacy efforts.

Photo credit: Kathryn Styer Martínez / OPB

Environment & Climate Committee (ECC) — 2022

In 2022, Bend established the Environment & Climate Committee (ECC) as an advisory body to the Bend City Council. The ECC oversees the implementation of the CCAP and plays a vital role in the city's efforts to address climate change and promote environmental stewardship. Key expertise of the ECC:

  • Energy efficiency  

  • Renewable energy  

  • Environmental justice  

  • Sustainable transportation  

In essence, the Environment & Climate Committee is a crucial link between the City of Bend and its residents, working to ensure that the city's environmental and climate goals are met.

Energize Bend coalition formed — 2022

Amid growing support in the community for adoption of electrification in homes and buildings, Energize Bend was formed. Energize Bend is a coalition of organizations and individuals educating the community, helping individuals make upgrades, and advocating for the transition to clean energy and electrification in Bend. Since it’s formation in 2022, the coalition has grown in support and impact, and looks to bring members of our community together in support of common-sense, climate-smart practices that will make our city cleaner, healthier, and safer.

Photo credit: RYAN BRENNECKE/The Bulletin

Youth-led climate strike in Bend - September 2023

In September 2023, climate advocates from all over Bend gathered for a Global Climate Strike at Bend City Hall, organized by youth advocates from the Deschutes Youth Climate Coalition and Fridays For Future Bend, along with other local partners including Energize Bend. The youth advocates demanded urgent and equitable action from local elected officials, including urging the implementation of meaningful policies that accelerate the adoption of cleaner energy sources in Bend’s buildings and homes. Similar strikes were held across other cities in Oregon, the US, and globally.

Bend City Council responds to youth advocates - October 2023

In response to the youth-led demands, Bend City Council took swift action and passed a resolution committing to building all new or significantly renovated city-owned buildings with pollution-free electric equipment, rather than fossil fuels. The resolution also commits to upgrading existing city-owned buildings with electric equipment where financially feasible. While this was an important first step, it was limited to only city-owned buildings, a small fraction of the overall emissions of the city. Climate groups commended this resolution, but urged the City to pass broader, city-wide policy changes that would make a more meaningful impact.

ECC presents recommendations to City Council - December 2024

In December 2024, The Environmental and Climate Committee (ECC) presented their policy recommendations to City Council and emphasized the urgency of reducing natural gas use in buildings, a major source of emissions. The policy options included:

  • Building performance standards for commercial and multifamily buildings.

  • Raise revenue for a just transition fund

  • Fees as disincentives on buildings using fossil fuel infrastructure, similar to Ashland's approach.

  • Right-of-way for natural gas utilities (prohibit or increase fee)

  • Removal of subsidies for fossil fuels on new buildings.

  • Education and outreach to build awareness in the community around benefits and incentives of home electrification.

These policies would help make it feasible for Bend to deliver on the emission reduction commitments established in the Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP).

Will the City of Bend take bold action? That depends on YOU!

As the City of Bend considers the policy recommendations of the ECC, we need to show that our community supports bold climate action. This is a pivotal moment that can shape our community for generations to come.

Want to help build a cleaner, safer, more affordable Bend?