Process & Timeline

A vertical timeline illustrating the development process for a Climate Action Plan, with an arrow on the left labeled “Community Outreach and Engagement.” The timeline includes four blue boxes: “Winter 2026 – Spring 2026: Climate Action Framework Design – Vision and desired outcomes.” “Summer 2026 – Fall 2026: Strategic Analysis and Priority Setting – Goals to guide climate action development.” “Winter 2027 – Spring 2027: Policy and Strategy Development – Evaluate, select, and prioritize climate actions.” “Summer 2027 – Winter 2028: Finalizing Climate Action Plan – Draft CAP review and refinement.” At the bottom, a green section with an icon of documents and a gear reads: “Climate Action Plan Board Adoption.”

 

Community engagement is foundational to the development of Arlington’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). Climate action touches every aspect of how we live, work, and move through our community, so the people who will be affected by the CAP must help shape it.

We recognize that not all projects require the same level of community involvement, and that even a single project may call for different levels of engagement at different phases. Some stages may focus on informing the public or gathering broad input, while others may involve deeper collaboration with stakeholders to refine strategies or evaluate trade-offs. Given the wide-ranging impact of the CAP, all levels of engagement are necessary throughout its development to ensure that residents, businesses, community organizations, and regional partners are true partners in the process.

Our goal is to make engagement mutually beneficial for participants and the County. We are committed to creating clear, accessible opportunities for involvement; valuing lived experience and technical expertise alike; and demonstrating how community input influences decisions.

Opportunities to Get Involved

Climate action is a community effort, and your voice plays a vital role in shaping Arlington’s Climate Action Plan. Throughout the planning process, we’ll offer a variety of ways for residents, businesses, and organizations to participate by sharing ideas, attending events, responding to feedback forms, or collaborating on solutions. Your insights and lived experiences help ensure that our strategies are effective, equitable, and reflective of the community we serve. Explore the opportunities below to stay engaged and help guide our path toward a more resilient, sustainable future.

 

Climate Action Youth Art Contest (Deadline: April 30, 2026)

A promotional graphic for the Arlington, Virginia “Climate Action Art Contest.” The background is teal, with the Arlington Virginia logo at the top left. Large white text reads “Climate Action Art Contest.” Below it, centered text says “Our Arlington. Our Climate. Our Future.” and “For students in grades K–12.” On the right side is an illustration of a person holding a paintbrush and palette, standing next to a large painted Earth. A blue banner at the bottom states: “Submission deadline: April 30, 2026 at 11:55 PM EST.”

Learn more

 

Climate Action Plan Launch Event (February 25, 2026)

Promotional graphic for an event titled ‘Climate & Cuisine: A Panel Discussion,’ presented by Arlington Public Library and Arlington County’s Climate Policy Office. The design features illustrations of vegetables surrounding an image of Earth, along with a small framed photo of a person outdoors. Text on the graphic highlights guest speaker Mark Easter, author of ‘The Blue Plate: A Food Lover’s Guide to Climate Chaos,’ and notes that local experts will also participate. Event details: Central Library, February 25, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Logos for Arlington County and Arlington Public Library appear in the bottom right

 

 

Stay Informed

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Project Contact

Richard Dooley

Director of Climate Policy

Arlington County Manager's Office

rdooley@arlingtonva.us


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