Bothell: Roadmap to Sustainability

Bothell is actively addressing the undeniable reality of a changing climate, an imperative driven by observed impacts ranging from hotter summers and shifting rainfall patterns to increasingly frequent wildfire smoke. These environmental shifts pose significant, growing risks to the health, well-being, economy, and natural environment of the community. In response to this pressing challenge, the City of Bothell has developed its first-ever Climate Action Plan (CAP), a practical, community-informed roadmap designed to sharply reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhance the city's preparedness for local climate impacts. The plan outlines 82 specific strategies and actions organized across five key focus areas, aiming to support broader regional and state climate goals while building a healthier, more sustainable Bothell for all residents.

The foundational basis for this ambitious plan is the local emissions data, which reveals that the Bothell community produced an estimated 570,092 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2023—a per-person output roughly equivalent to driving a gas-powered car over 28,000 miles a year. A critical insight from this inventory is that the vast majority of these emissions originate from just two sectors: Transportation (58%) and Buildings and Energy Use (36%). Therefore, a central focus of the CAP is to achieve deep emissions reductions within these two areas. The plan was developed over the course of 2024-2025 through a collaborative, data-driven process, engaging City staff, technical experts, regional partners, and a diverse 23-member Advisory Committee. This extensive engagement included two community surveys and workshops to ensure the final strategies genuinely reflect Bothell’s values and priorities.

To confront the crisis, Bothell has aligned its ambitions with the King County-Cities Climate Collaborative (K4C), adopting the shared goal of a 95 percent reduction (net-zero) in GHG emissions by 2050, utilizing 2019 as the baseline year. Achieving this target requires a comprehensive set of actions across all sectors, structured within the CAP's five focus areas. The largest number of strategies, 35 in total, fall under Transportation & Land Use. These actions are designed to transform mobility by encouraging alternatives to driving alone, such as improving walkability, increasing transit access and ridership, connecting neighborhoods with safe bike and pedestrian routes, and accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).

The second critical focus, Buildings & Energy, comprises 14 strategies dedicated to advancing energy efficiency and full electrification in both new and existing structures, alongside expanding access to renewable energy sources. This directly targets the 36 percent of emissions from powering, heating, and cooling homes and businesses. Further supporting the overall reduction goal are strategies for Zero Waste, focusing on increasing waste diversion and reducing overall generation through reuse and repair practices. The remaining focus areas, Municipal Operations (14 actions) and Community Activation, ensure the City leads by example through fleet electrification and facility upgrades, while also empowering residents with the climate literacy needed for community-led action. Implementation, which began after the plan’s anticipated adoption in late 2025, requires sustained commitment and resources from both the City and the community, acknowledging that every individual action—from saving energy and composting to driving less—is essential to achieving the collective vision of a resilient, sustainable Bothell.