Local First Kicks off City of Phoenix Climate Action Plan Workshops focused on Local Businesses

Central Arizona
Written By Lynita Johnson

Not even the August heat in Phoenix could stop a score of small business owners from gathering in the Burton Barr Library community room on August 14, 2025. They weren’t there to sell or pitch a new product — but to confront a challenge larger than any one enterprise: climate change. Hosted by Local First Arizona and the City of Phoenix, the first Climate Action Plan business convening invited business leaders to share firsthand how climate change is shaping their day-to-day operations — and how they can have a hand in shaping the city’s climate policy.

The meeting kicked off with an opportunity for networking and light refreshments and provided Spanish interpretation to foster a welcoming, inclusive environment followed by an activity aimed at identifying the most pressing issues for business owners.

The owner of a swimming pool company shared that water is a top of mind concern while the owner of a local construction company was worried about the effects of extreme heat on outdoor workers. A manager at a local coffee shop was aware of the significant greenhouse gasses created by sending food waste to landfills and wanted more sustainable options. Another attendee highlighted the increased costs of building maintenance due to HVAC upgrades needed to cope with the longer hotter summers in the valley.

This meeting marked the beginning of a citywide series hosted by Local First Arizona, in partnership with the City of Phoenix, to revise the city’s 2021 Climate Action Plan — with local businesses at the center of the conversation. The Burton Barr meeting was followed by a second meeting of over 20 representatives of businesses and non profit organizations at the Sunnyslope Community Center on Tuesday, August 26th. 

Participants at both meetings shared their vision of the future for the business community in Phoenix. Attendees discussed the challenges they are currently facing on a regular basis that relate to climate change. The sessions encourage business leaders to share firsthand experiences, explore strategies to lower costs and improve resilience, and help design measures the City and local businesses can adopt together to respond to challenges like extreme heat, rising energy prices and water shortages. 

Cristina Coash, owner of Coash Court Reporting & Video reflected on the benefits of connecting with fellow business owners to address climate issues: “I attended the meeting expecting to learn some simple concepts regarding how climate change affected my business.  What I learned was that we are surrounded by so many in the community who have the desire to improve their business’s carbon footprint, sustainability and circular economy, but lack access to resources and capital. There were so many great ideas exchanged that I would have never thought of.”

A common theme that emerged from both the Burton Barr and Sunnyslope meetings is the recognition of responsibility of community members and businesses in addressing climate change–and the power of collective action to increase resilience. Collective action enables businesses to share knowledge and resources, influence policy and systems change, and achieve greater impact than individual efforts can alone. Together with the City of Phoenix, local businesses have the opportunity to lead in climate action — reducing impacts and building a healthier, more sustainable community.

What's next?

These first two meetings set the tone for a constructive series — one where local business voices directly inform Phoenix’s climate strategy. Upcoming sessions include engagements at the Maryvale, Cesar Chavez and Deer Valley community centers. Input from all sessions will help shape a comprehensive 2025 Climate Action Plan that reflects the needs, insights and ambitions of Phoenix’s local business community.

There are 3 opportunities left to attend upcoming climate action convenings:

RSVP FOR MEETING

If you can’t make it to a meeting but still want to have your voice heard you can send comments and suggestions to climate@phoenix.gov.The City of Phoenix plans to release the draft 2025 Climate Action Plan during fall 2025 and will hold a public review period.

Other ways to get involved in climate action: 

Lynita Johnson
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