City of San José recognises local climate champions

“Our 2026 Climate Smart Champions remind us that creating a more sustainable future is a shared effort,” said mayor Matt Mahan. “Whether through innovation, advocacy, or everyday actions, individuals and businesses across San José are proving that meaningful change is possible when we all do our part.”

2026 Climate Smart Champion Award Recipients

• Climate Smart Champion of the Year: John Brazil for decades of leadership in expanding San José’s bikeway network, helping make biking safer, more connected, and a practical transportation option for people of all ages and abilities.
  
  
• Climate Smart Mobility Champion: Jordan Moldow for his dedication to making San José safer and more bike-friendly through community advocacy, public engagement, and efforts to encourage cleaner, healthier ways to get around.
  
  
• Climate Smart Energy Champion: Made Simple Heating & Air Inc for helping San José homeowners make the switch to cleaner, more energy-efficient homes by providing trusted guidance, high-efficiency heat pump installations, and support navigating rebates and incentives.
  
  
• Climate Smart Water Conservation Champion: 60 SOMA Fee Owner CA, LLC for its commitment to water conservation through innovative building upgrades that reduced water use by 25 per cent below the local average while improving efficiency and sustainability throughout its operations.
  
  
• Climate Smart Youth Champion: Kanika Rawat for empowering young people to take action on climate change through the inaugural Climate Smart Youth Video Competition, creating opportunities for students to share their voices, engage with local government, and inspire climate action across the San José community.
  
  
• Climate Smart Equity Champion: Climate Resilient Communities for empowering residents in some of San José’s most climate-vulnerable neighbourhoods to lead local climate solutions, strengthening community resilience through resident-driven projects, partnerships, and preparedness efforts.
  
  
• Climate Smart Business Champion: Cisco for its leadership in sustainability and climate action, achieving a 90 per cent reduction in operational greenhouse gas emissions, sourcing 100 per cent renewable electricity for its global operations, and advancing innovative clean energy projects in San José and beyond.

“What makes this group of honorees special is the diversity of their contributions,” said Julie Benabente, Climate Smart deputy director. “This year’s award recipients include advocates, young leaders, businesses, and organisations that are each advancing climate solutions in their own way. Together, they show that there is no single path to climate leadership and that everyone has a role to play.”

“At San José Clean Energy, we know that climate progress is driven by local leadership and community partnership,” said Lori Mitchell, director of San José Clean Energy, the local, not-for-profit electricity generation provider for homes and businesses in San José. “These Climate Smart Champions are showing how innovative ideas and dedicated action can create lasting benefits for our city.”

Find out more about the Champion’s accomplishments by visiting the Climate Smart Champions.

City of San José said in its news statement that recognition through the Climate Smart Champion Awards does not constitute endorsement by the City of San José or San José Clean Energy of any business, organisation, product, or service.