Thurston County is experiencing effects of climate change, including hotter summers, wildfire smoke, deepening droughts, coastal flooding, and intensifying storms. These impacts are expected to worsen as global temperatures continue to rise. Solving climate change requires commitment and action by all sectors of society. Local governments play a vital role in helping to reduce emissions and protecting residents from climate impacts.

The Board of County Commissioners passed Resolution No. 15983 declaring a Climate Emergency in 2021. This resolution emphasizes that mitigating climate change requires immediate action and a long-term commitment.

Regional Collaboration

Recognizing the power of a regional approach, Thurston County and the cities of Olympia, Tumwater, and Lacey have been working together since 2018 to develop the Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan in partnership with community members, youth climate activists, and grassroots advocacy organizations. In 2023, the partners signed a new Interlocal Agreement and created a new Regional Implementation Guidance document to formalize the Thurston Climate Mitigation Collaborative (TCMC) and define roles and responsibilities of the Jurisdiction Parties, Staff Team, Executive Committee, and Community Advisory Workgroup. 

The shared plan aims to reduce countywide greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030 and 85% by 2050 (from 2015 levels). It includes more than 70 actions to reduce emissions across five sectors: Buildings & Energy, Transportation & Land Use, Water & Waste, Agriculture & Forests, and Cross-Cutting.

Visit Thurston Regional Planning Council’s site to read more:

• Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan (2020)
• Thurston Climate Mitigation 2022 Progress Report
• 2021 Greenhouse Gas Inventory for Thurston County
• Climate Change Data