About Philly Climate Works

Philly Climate Works (PCW) is a project of Sierra Club PA focused on advancing equity, justice, and resilience as the foundation of a safe climate future for Philadelphia. We work in collaboration with other grassroots organizations throughout the city to achieve our mission of helping to develop and implement a platform of achievable, enactable, local policies that will reduce carbon emissions while creating high quality jobs and tangible social benefits to a diverse and growing number of Philadelphians.

Since 2020, Philly Climate Works has been a co-convening member of the HERE 4 Climate Justice coalition (Housing Equity, Repair, and Electrification for Climate Justice). The HERE 4 Climate Justice coalition brings together community organizations, home repair providers, workforce and community development partners, and climate justice groups across Philadelphia to fight for safe, healthy, affordable, fossil-free housing for all.

Our Vision

We believe that our government must address social and economic inequalities through bold and strategic actions if we are to achieve healthy, strong and viable communities today and a livable city for future generations tomorrow. Further, we know that the rights and wellbeing of workers are essential and non-negotiable to a just and green economy.

Neighborhoods and communities across Philadelphia will face the trauma of climate change-induced disasters in different ways and our city’s response needs to be better positioned and prepared to address climate-related emergencies ranging from flooding to health epidemics.

Black, Brown, immigrant, and low-income communities in particular are the most vulnerable to the insecurities of energy, food, water, air, housing, and land, all of which climate change exacerbates. It is essential that those faced with the greatest burdens must be positioned to lead and have the chance to shape how Philly adapts, mitigates, and responds to climate change.

Our History

Philly Climate Works drew its initial inspiration from a community-led effort in New York City. In 2014, several organizations representing labor and community groups in New York City came together and crafted a ten-point platform titled Climate Works For All. The objectives of the platform were to lower greenhouse gas emissions in the city, create local jobs, and provide social benefits for frontline communities like those hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy. The platform was released around the time of the People’s Climate March of NYC. The collaborative effort to fight for a safe climate while protecting workers and communities in New York City continues to this day.

In 2015, the organizers of “CW4A NYC” made a trip to Philadelphia to present their process, progress, and the coalition’s pathway moving forward. That public presentation, along with the publication of their ten-point platform, sparked an interest in creating a similar model for climate justice here in Philly. In the ensuing year and a half, and with the generous effort of many volunteers, a similar initiative was set in motion.