Local governments have a critical role in climate action. King County serves as the regional government for 39 cities and unincorporated areas. The County is one of the largest counties in the United States with a population of 2.3 million, spanning from downtown Seattle to the crest of the Cascades. As the regional provider for services including transit, wastewater, solid waste, housing, legal, regional parks, and public health among others, King County can directly influence emissions from residents and visitors.
King County plays a key leadership role in supporting local jurisdictions to advance climate action. It has demonstrated this by adopting stronger countywide greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets through the King County Growth Management Planning Council (GMPC). Cities and counties serve as hubs for innovation, and by documenting and sharing local successes, the County can inspire and encourage climate action across the region.
Local governments cannot take all necessary steps alone, as certain climate action measures fall under state or national level jurisdiction. King County and its partners have a key role convening partners and advocating for strong climate policies at the state and national levels.
What's at stake
As a County government, King County has direct authority over key services that are required to achieve GHG emission reduction targets. The County has the opportunity to work with partners at the local, state, and federal levels to equitably deliver GHG emission reductions and the benefits of investments to residents. King County is projected to see significant population and employment growth, approximately 30 percent from 2025 to 2050. If no action is taken to reduce GHG emissions, they are projected to grow from 24.2 million metric tons CO2e to over 30 million, an increase of 30 percent.
A better outcome
King County has a vision for regional climate action that can serve as an example of how local governments can collaborate to address climate change at scale. By partnering with cities and other jurisdictions, King County aims to coordinate state legislative advocacy, share resources, and amplify local successes to chart a path toward broader national and global action. The 2025 SCAP serves as a roadmap for how the County, at the local level, can build on federal and state regulations and incentives, to achieve greenhouse gas reduction goals.
What we've done to get here
- King County and the 39 cities in the County strengthened shared GHG emission reductions targets to 50 percent below 2007 levels by 2030; 75 percent below 2007 levels by 2040; and 95 percent below 2007 levels and net carbon neutral by 2050.
- Advocated and convened partners to successfully adopt a suite of transformative state-level climate policies.