The
Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program is managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. CPRG provides funding to over 220 states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement plans for reducing harmful emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants.
Knoxville, Nashville, and Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), as well as the State of Tennessee, are all recipients of the two-phase, noncompetitive planning grant. All grant projects will run from 2023-2027.
The Knoxville MSA's Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) sets forth two regional greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets as a result of this planning grant:
- 40% reduction by 2035, relative to 2022 emissions
- 75% reduction by 2050, relative to 2022 emissions
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.png "Knoxville Metropolitan Statistical Area") |
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Knoxville Metropolitan Statistical Area:
Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Grainger, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, and Union Counties |
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BREATHE: Reducing Emissions for a Resilient Region
The BREATHE Team is led by staff from the City of Knoxville's Office of Sustainability and the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO). The City also contracted ICF and Three
3 to aid in the development of the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan. ICF was the lead consultant in charge of creating a regional greenhouse gas inventory and emission projects as well as leading engagement. Three
3 provided local expertise and development of the Community Outcomes Matrix Toolkit.
Public engagement has been a central part of the BREATHE planning process. An Advisory Committee guided development of the Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP), while Working Group members composed of local governments, regional agencies, community organizations, and technical experts contributed to the CCAP. The broader public also participated through community events. Both plans were shaped by input from stakeholders and residents across the region, ensuring that regional perspectives and community priorities were reflected.
Community Resources
Sustainable choices can often be easy ways to cut costs and improve your quality of life. To lower your energy bills, access free food and transportation, and find beneficial programs for your home, business, farm, & more, take advantage of the sustainable solutions and actions laid out in these resource sections.
Climate Pledge
Take our climate pledge and learn about the impact individual actions can have on reducing greenhouse gases.
Regional Climate Action Plans
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| Priority Climate Action Plan |
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Comprehensive Climate Action Plan |
• Simplified greenhouse gas inventory of the region
• Identified a focused list of near-term, high priority, implementation-ready measures to reduce GHG pollution throughout the Knoxville MSA region
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• Expands on greenhouse gas emissions reduction
measures in the near- and long- term
• Includes emission targets, cost-benefit analyses, implementation timelines, funding mechanisms, workforce development, and a community outcomes matrix toolkit
• Sectors discussed in the plan include Buildings, Transportation, Energy, Waste, Natural Working Lands, and Agriculture
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| Status Report |
| An update on the implementation status of GHG reduction measures included in the CCAP will be submitted in August 2027. |
For additional information or general inquiries, please visit
KnoxBreathe.org or contact us.