Central New Mexico is taking steps towards a more resilient future through a collaborative effort aimed at addressing climate-related challenges. The City of Albuquerque's Resilient Futures Initiative, supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Planning Program, was launched with the involvement of Mayor Tim Keller and the State of New Mexico.
The initiative seeks to engage residents across Central New Mexico in efforts to rethink and reduce the impact of extreme weather and climate pollution. Over the next year, it will focus on building a regional resource for resilience planning, prioritizing communities most affected by these issues through research and coalition-building activities.
Additionally, the State of New Mexico provided further insights into their CPRG initiatives. While each recipient will undertake individual projects, collaboration among all six recipients is emphasized to ensure alignment in achieving shared climate objectives.
Mayor Tim Keller stated, “Our community is at its strongest when we work together, and collective action to protect our city’s beauty and health is the key to making Albuquerque more resilient for the future.” He highlighted that coordinated community-driven initiatives would address long-standing injustices.
Alice Main, Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Manager, remarked on the importance of local action in building social resilience against extreme weather and climate pollution. She expressed hope for broad participation under the Resilient Futures Initiative.
Funding for strategic planning under the nationwide CPRG Planning Program has also been allocated to several tribal entities including Pueblo of Santa Ana, Pueblo of Sandia, Navajo Nation, and others. By December 1st, 2025, comprehensive plans from both state and city levels are expected to be submitted to the EPA outlining strategies to reduce climate pollution and benefit frontline communities. Tribal recipients have until June 30th, 2027.
Travis Kellerman, Senior Climate Policy Advisor for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham emphasized that this public engagement phase provides valuable data from New Mexicans experiencing climate change effects firsthand. He noted its significance in shaping an inclusive Comprehensive Climate Action Plan that reflects diverse state priorities.
Pueblo of Sandia Governor Felix Chavez announced their collaboration with state and city partners under the CPRG planning program. He underscored their commitment to tackling urgent environmental challenges affecting indigenous communities disproportionately. Chavez highlighted their cultural value placed on environmental protection as essential for community well-being.
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