Climate Change

We are living in a changing climate.

Learn about Hillsboro’s Climate Action Plan below.
See how the City is responding with actions & strategies to help the community adapt to the changes and lessen the negative effects.
Learn how you can take action to advocate for sustainability, reduce your personal impacts, and build resiliency.

Climate Action Plan

Hillsboro’s Climate Action Plan is a roadmap for a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient community. It outlines practical steps to reduce pollution, save energy and money, and prepare for climate impacts like extreme heat and wildfire smoke. The Hillsboro City Council adopted the Climate Action Plan in February 2026.

The Plan focuses on everyday solutions, including:

Cleaner transportation
Renewable energy
Reducing waste
Protecting natural spaces
Future-proofing City infrastructure

The City worked with community members, businesses, partner organizations, and other key stakeholders to develop the Plan's two components:

Part 1: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Plan includes building energy, transportation, and consumption mitigation strategies.
Part 2: Climate Resiliency Plan covers social and infrastructure adaptation strategies.
Both parts include resiliency actions to help prepare the community for climate impacts.

Part 1: Greenhouse House Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction Plan

The Community GHG Emissions Reduction Plan includes a set of actions the City, Hillsboro residents, and community partners can implement to reduce emissions from building energy, transportation, and consumption and waste.

Strategies that reduce the use of fossil fuels or cut GHG emissions are likely to be found in the Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan.

Examples include conserving energy, expanding use of renewable energy, improving biking & walking infrastructure, and increasing composting and materials reuse.

Part 2: Climate Resiliency Plan

The Climate Resiliency Plan details potential climate risks the city may face in the coming years, how those risks might impact the community, and potential actions the City can take to increase resiliency.

Actions that help the community adapt to climate change are likely to be found in the Community Climate Resiliency Plan.

Examples include making homes more comfortable and weather-proof, expanding and restoring natural areas, protecting cultural and food resources, preparing for wildfires, saving water resources, and addressing urban heat.

Climate Resiliency Plan Overview (English)
- Resumen del Plan de Resiliencia Climática (español)
Full list of actions & details: Climate Resiliency Plan

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is planting more trees not included in the Community GHG Emissions Reduction Plan?

Tree canopy expansion was not one of the top strategies for GHG emissions reduction. It would take over 4 million acres of forest (ten times the size of Washington County) to sequester the amount of CO2 as the actions listed in that plan.

However, there are multiple actions related to trees in the Community Climate Resiliency Plan since they help the community adapt to the effects of climate change.

Are there actions that promote transportation options other than driving?

Yes. The Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan includes strategies to increase transit and bike ridership and make roads safer for people who walk and bike.

The Community Climate Resiliency Plan addresses street connectivity and walkability, collaboration with County transportation projects, and providing equitable access to green spaces within a half-mile.

Why are there no specific actions to address air pollution?

The Climate Action Plan focuses on reducing the GHG emissions that cause climate change. Greenhouse gases (GHG) may include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and other fluorinated gases.

Reducing vehicle emissions and planting & supporting trees can improve air pollution as a secondary benefit.

Actions to reduce other air pollution caused by lead, smog, and soot are not included in the Plan because they do not address climate change. The City may address these concerns in future plans or programs.

What can I do as an individual to help respond to climate change?

There are many things you can do to take action! The Hillsboro Youth Advisory Council developed a Climate Change: Get Involved webpage to provide helpful information.