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Bloomberg Philanthropies, led by former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, plans to allocate $200 million to assist leaders from 25 U.S. cities in accessing federal funding opportunities aimed at reducing emissions.

Significance: This funding initiative could enable these cities to develop their infrastructure for buildings and transportation in ways that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

Overview: The program, named Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities, will provide mayors with the resources and expertise needed to access federal funding streams for emissions reduction projects. This includes funds allocated under the Biden administration's climate legislation and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The initiative aims to engage experts from organizations such as PolicyLink, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University to support cities in advancing their emission reduction goals.

This initiative aligns with Bloomberg's longstanding focus on cities as crucial hubs for emissions reduction efforts. With this latest commitment, Bloomberg Philanthropies' contributions to local emission reduction initiatives exceed $650 million to date.

Additionally, Bloomberg plays a prominent role in international climate advocacy as the U.N. Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and as the president of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group.

Focus Areas: The selected cities, including Akron, Birmingham, Charlotte, Cleveland, Nashville, Newport News, St. Louis, and others, will utilize the funding for various projects. These projects may involve developing energy-efficient housing, expanding electric vehicle infrastructure, and promoting equity in climate initiatives, especially in disadvantaged communities.

Each city will also be assigned an "innovation team" to provide tailored support and assistance in implementing climate mitigation strategies alongside community-based organizations.

Quotes: Mayor Shammas Malik of Akron expressed enthusiasm about leveraging philanthropic funding to foster sustainability and equity in Akron. John Podesta, senior advisor to the president for international climate policy, emphasized the importance of such investments in supporting cities as they lead the transition to a cleaner and more equitable future.

Background: Michael Bloomberg has been a significant climate donor for many years, focusing on initiatives such as targeting coal power plants for closure and spearheading alliances of global cities to combat climate change. Unlike other climate donors, Bloomberg's philanthropic efforts prioritize emissions reduction at the local and regional levels rather than advancing next-generation energy technologies.

Original article posted on Axios