Mesa has adopted a climate action plan to lower the city’s climate impact and plan for sustainable growth.

The City Council voted this week to adopt the plan, which contains aspirational goals for reducing Mesa’s carbon footprint, prioritizing renewable energy and diverting waste from landfills.

Mesa Mayor John Giles said it's imperative for society to be tackling these issues at the city level. "This is about integrating sustainable practices into all the departments of our city, and adopting aspirational goals, but at the same time realistic goals that are obtainable,” he said.

Giles said environmental scientists employed by the city have developed a baseline for Mesa’s current carbon footprint.

“We have some Ph.D.-level scientists already on our city staff," Giles said. "So that was the first thing we did — establish what we’re doing now so that we can identify ways that we can get better at it.”

The plan consists of aspirational goals including achieving 100% renewable energy and carbon neutrality by 2050.

Giles noted much of the conservation can come from expanding current sustainable practices in Mesa like curbside recycling and converting food waste into fuel for city fleet vehicles.

The Show spoke with Mesa Mayor John Giles to learn more about the plan.