Breckenridge, CO – More than 600 leaders from 61 mountain communities and 37 ski resorts came together last week at the Mountain Towns 2030 (MT2030) Climate Summit, the leading climate convening for mountain and rural communities across North America.
Over two days of powerful discussion and collaboration, local officials, resort executives, nonprofits, and industry partners shared proven strategies to cut emissions, strengthen resilience, and fast-track the transition to clean energy.
Elected Leaders Sign Collective Climate Pledge
In a historic first, 37 elected leaders from mountain towns nationwide signed a joint statement committing to work together to cut emissions, transition to clean energy, and protect the places they love.
“As elected leaders of mountain communities, we’re bonded by a deep love for our natural settings and an intense responsibility to protect them,” the statement reads. “We pledge to work together to accelerate climate solutions at the local and regional level, building a nationwide movement powerful enough to drive emissions to zero.” Read the entire statement and see the signatories here.
Summit Highlights Included:
- Keynote from Bill McKibben, author, activist, and founder of 350.org and Third Act, whose message underscored both the urgency and the opportunity to achieve global energy independence through solar innovation.
- A moving discussion with Youth Climate Activists from Livingston, Montana, who won their landmark case holding the state accountable for failing to protect the environment, a defining moment for youth-led climate action.
- Ramón Méndez, Uruguay’s former National Director of Energy, detailed how his country now generates 98% of its electricity from renewables, showing what’s possible through political will and bold policy.
- Utility and co-op leaders reaffirmed their commitment to clean energy and called on mountain communities to partner in achieving shared goals.
- 35 peer-led work sessions on climate planning, electrification, thermal energy, advocacy, finance, and resilience, equipping local leaders with actionable tools and a powerful network for impact.
- Presentation of the MT2030 Climate Action Awards, recognizing standouts:
- Town of Ridgway, CO Mayor John Clark (Mountain Catalyst)
- Town of Ridgway, CO (Small Towns Doing Big Things)
- City of Hailey, ID (Community of the Year)
- Park City Community Foundation & Chamber (Collaboration of the Year)
“This year’s Summit felt especially powerful,” said Chris Steinkamp, Executive Director of MT2030. “Mountain communities are on the front lines of climate change, but they’re also leading the way with innovation and collaboration. The unity and energy we saw this week give me real hope.”
Founded in 2019, MT2030 helps mountain, ski resort, and rural communities to collectively reach net-zero carbon emissions through collaboration, shared resources, and measurable action.
For more information, visit www.mt2030.org.
Media Contact:
Chris Steinkamp, Executive Director
Mountain Towns 2030
[email protected]
(303) 815-2057
