Climate Mayors network announces 2023 leadership team

Climate Mayors has announced that Madison mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway will become the next chair of the network of nearly 500 US mayors across the country committed to climate leadership in their cities.

Mayor Rhodes-Conway will help catalyse urgent action at a local scale to promote climate solutions, set an example of action for leaders at all levels of government, and support greener, safer and more resilient cities across the country.

Also announced at the event were the incoming vice-chairs: Kate Gallego, Phoenix, Arizona, and Justin Bibb, Cleveland, Ohio.

Prioritising climate action

The 58th mayor of Madison, Satya Rhodes-Conway, was elected in 2019 as the city’s second female mayor and the first out LGBTQ person to serve as mayor of Madison. In her time as mayor, Rhodes-Conway has prioritised affordable housing, transportation, climate change and racial equity. She brings to the organisation extensive experience in local policy, having worked with mayors across the country for more than a decade and served three terms on the Madison Common Council. 

Under her leadership, Madison has invested in renewable energy consistent with goals for city facilities to be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030. In addition, the city has invested in a $160m all-electric bus rapid transit system that will improve mobility, lower transit emissions, reportedly, take thousands of cars off the streets, and encourage sustainability in both new and existing affordable housing operations to lower bills for residents.

“I am eager to work with other mayors, the federal government, and numerous partners to help ensure that the unprecedented federal investments in climate solutions reach US cities and their residents”

The city is also working to rapidly transition streetlights to LED lighting retrofit affordable housing for efficiency and health and build green infrastructure for stormwater management.

On earth day in 2021, mayor Rhodes Conway announced Climate Forward, a plan to advance climate action in Madison, rapidly reduce emissions, make the city more resilient, and improve peoples’ lives.

“I’m honoured to serve as Climate Mayors chair at this critical time for climate action in cities,” said Rhodes-Conway. “Cities have long been our climate leaders, and during my time as Climate Mayors chair, I am eager to work with other mayors, the federal government, and numerous partners to help ensure that the unprecedented federal investments in climate solutions reach US cities and their residents.”