Environmental Sustainability is a City Council priority. Council goals include:

• Environmental Stewardship: Continue to support the Environmental Stewardship Committee in advancing the actions identified in the Hillsboro 2035 Community Plan.
  
  
• Environmental Assessment: Implement the recommendations from the 2022 Assessment of Environmental Resources Management.

Visit the Environmental Sustainability City Council Priority webpage to learn more about the Council’s Environmental Management Sub-Goals and Action Items.

City staff, consultants and community partners are developing a comprehensive community Climate Action Plan. The plan will include strategies for helping the community and the City: 

• Reduce the impacts of climate change
  
  
• Adapt to a changing climate
  
  
• Promote community resilience

The climate planning process was initiated in 2023 with the development of a community greenhouse gas inventory. 

• Read the Greenhouse Gas Inventory.
  
  
• View the Greenhouse Gas Inventory PowerPoint Presentation with a summary of results.
  
  
• Watch the December 5, 2023 presentation to City Council.

Next steps include:

• Development of greenhouse gas reduction measures
  
  
• Assessment of community impacts
  
  
• Collaboration with community partners
  
  
• Community engagement

The Climate Action Plan will be presented to City Council in mid-2025. Updates will be published here. 

Prepared in collaboration with Portland State University, the Environmental Resources Assessment measures how the City is managing natural resources and provides recommendations for improvement. 

• Read the Environmental Resources Assessment.
  
  
• View the Environmental Resources PowerPoint presentation with a summary of results.

The Office of Sustainability is currently leading the implementation of the most promising assessment recommendations, including developing a climate action plan. 

The 2010 Sustainability Plan includes operational climate-focused goals. 

The 2018 Energy Management Plan includes strategies to help reach climate-related goals by: 

• Cutting energy use
  
  
• Lowering emissions
  
  
• Supporting smart sustainability practices

These goals and strategies will be revised and updated as part of the Climate Action Plan.

Environmental Stewardship is a focus area in Hillsboro’s 2035 Community Plan. The plan recommends multiple actions to slow and respond to climate change, including:

• Incentivize residential and commercial renewable energy options with an emphasis on solar installations (including those renting or leasing)
  
  
• Strive to establish energy-independent buildings with renewable energy, beginning with public facilities
  
  
• Deploy carbon-neutral buses in Hillsboro
  
  
• Support expanded Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) air quality monitoring of particulates and ozone in Hillsboro and promote awareness regarding no-idling policy

The plan tracks indicators to measure success and inform action for each focus area. See the 2023 Environmental Stewardship Indicator Status Report to learn more. 

Hillsboro Parks & Recreation

Check out volunteer opportunities to support Hillsboro's natural beauty, including outdoor opportunities at parks and Jackson Bottom Wetlands, individual opportunities, and group projects. 

HandsOn Greater Portland

Hands On offers a range of volunteer programs designed to provide everyone with the opportunity to make a difference in our community.  

Search for "environment" to find habitat restoration projects, park cleanups, recycling projects, and more.

SOLVE

SOLVE invites individuals from all backgrounds and ages to participate in volunteering. Their projects strive to bring together people from diverse ethnic, social, economic, and geographic backgrounds, fostering a shared sense of community while working to enhance our natural areas.

350 PDX

350 PDX builds people’s movement in fighting for climate justice. Events, training, film screenings, team meetings, and art builds are open for anyone to attend. 

See their volunteer webpage, full events calendar, and Washington County Chapter events to find opportunities to get involved. 

The Climate Reality Project

Send a message that shows your support for the environment to large corporations or even congress. The Climate Reality Project, with a global network of 3.5 million, is working to build a just and sustainable true net zero future. Get the tools, training and network to help stop global warming. 

Unite Oregon

Unite Oregon is committed to climate adaptation strategies that mitigate the effects of climate change on vulnerable Oregonians. They work within communities to provide resources and opportunities for wealth-building to historically excluded communities. 

Share your thoughts & feedback on local initiatives.

Check out the City of Hillsboro’s Engage Hillsboro platform to contribute to environmental surveys, share ideas, and more.

Efficient Appliances & Proper Home Insulation

• Learn how to receive Hillsboro Water Department rebates on water & energy efficient appliances.
  
  
• Apply for a City of Hillsboro Energy Efficiency Grant to get a new heat pump water heater.
  
  
• The City of Hillsboro's Housing Rehabilitation Program can assist with insulation & weatherization.
  
  
• Community Action's Energy Conservation Program supports a variety of home improvements.
  
  
• Learn about proper insulation and get cash back incentives from the Energy Trust of Oregon.

Solar Energy

• Add solar panels or Solar + Storage to your home with help from the Energy Trust of Oregon.
  
  
• Attend solar workshops and webinars provided by Solar Oregon.
  
  
• Explore community solar projects to subscribe to a share of a solar farm near you.

Green Power

• Purchase Green Future Choice Renewable Power through Portland General Electric.

Eco-Friendly Transportation

Try alternative ways to get around such as public transit, biking, or walking!

• Safe Routes to School provides routes for your kid to get to school in a more climate-friendly way by walking, biking, scootering, skateboarding, or riding the bus.

Electric Vehicles

Consider driving an electric vehicle to reduce your gasoline use and emissions.

• The Oregon Electric Vehicle Association can help you learn more.
  
  
• Find Forth Mobility programs that make it easier and cheaper to access an electric car.
  
  
• Check out PGE's Electric Vehicle resources, including a costs & savings calculator.
  
  
• View a map of electric vehicle charging stations in Hillsboro.

Reduce Pollution

• Learn how to reduce pollution from vehicles and engines.

Sustainable Eating

• Use Eat Smart, Waste Less strategies to throw away less food.
  
  
• Make your diet more sustainable.

Compost

• Hillsboro residents can compost food scraps with their yard waste. Learn what you can compost in Hillsboro.

Recycle

• Returning deposit bottles and cans through BottleDrop ensures they are recycled in a closed loop process.
  
  
• Wondering what can be recycled? Use Washington County's What to Recycle and Where tool to search items and find out how to properly discard, donate, or recycle them.

Buy Local

• Buying local supports nearby farms and businesses, reduces transportation impacts, and produces less packaging.
  
  
  
  • Visit our Hillsboro Farmers' Markets and Tuesday Night Market for local crafts & produce.

• Sign up for Public Alerts to receive emergency alerts by text, email, or phone.
  
  
• Check out our Beat the Heat webpage for cooling shelter updates, information on preventing heat-related illness. You'll also find spraygrounds, free water dispensers, and more ways to stay cool.
  
  
• Visit our Weather Safety webpage for updates on warming shelters, City facility closures, road closures, snow plowing, power outages, and more.
  
  
• Visit our Prepare Now webpage to learn how to get ready for extreme weather and natural disasters. 
  
  
• Visit Washington County's Addressing Climate Change webpage for more health resources, sustainability tips, and disaster preparedness resources.