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Dec
17

King County–Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C)

King County-Cities Collaboration (K4C) is a partnership of local governments working together to accelerate climate action.

We have an urgent need to act boldly as a collective to create a healthier, more just, and resilient region.

That’s why the King County-Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C) exists.

We’re a partnership of local governments of all sizes working together to accelerate climate action. We combine our knowledge, resources, and advocacy power to shape policy and programs that cut harmful greenhouse gas emissions. This helps our region thrive in a changing climate. 

Together we represent more than 86% of the King County population. 

K4C partners work together to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions by:

  • Sustainably increasing mobility
  • Investing in renewable energy
  • Promoting clean energy use in buildings and vehicles
  • Expanding farm and forest protection.

We design programs with equitable delivery and community participation in the forefront. These projects also include climate preparedness initiatives and legislative measures.

Photo of elected officials at the October 13th, 2023 K4C Elected Official Work Session

K4C partners

Since we began in 2012, the K4C has grown to 23 partners:

  • King County
  • Bellevue
  • Bothell
  • Burien
  • Duvall
  • Issaquah
  • Kenmore
  • Kent
  • Kirkland
  • Lake Forest Park
  • Maple Valley
  • Mercer Island
  • Newcastle
  • Normandy Park
  • North Bend
  • Redmond
  • Renton
  • Sammamish
  • Seattle
  • Shoreline
  • Snoqualmie
  • Tukwila
  • The Port of Seattle

Don't see your city listed? You can still join us!

Map of K4C partner cities, which together represent 1.9 million people and 86% of King County's population.

How to join K4C

All cities in King County are welcome to join K4C. Membership requires:

  • Signing an Interlocal Agreement
  • Modest annual dues (based on the member’s population size) that are invested in projects
  • A commitment to provide staff resources for regular meetings

Members are encouraged to sign the Joint Climate Action Commitments that outline actions and policies to meet our ambitious regional climate targets.

Case studies 

The case studies below showcase how individual K4C partners are working on innovative projects to act on climate, while saving money and investing in their communities. 

K4C Shared comment letters 

We have greater influence when we speak with a collective voice. K4C will weigh in on state and Federal policies that are relevant to our climate goals for:

  • Energy supply
  • Efficiency
  • Clean vehicles and fuels

While these letters are grounded in the King County – City Joint Commitments, they do not represent the opinion of all K4C partners, only those that have signed on to each document. 

  • March 10, 2022 : K4C Comment Letter to Washington State Building Code Council on the 2021 Washington State Commercial Energy Code (284 KB) 
  • March 1, 2022: K4C Comment Letter on Puget Sound Energy 2021 Clean Energy Implementation Plan (229 KB)  
  • February 7, 2020: K4C Comment Letter on Proposed PSCAA Regional Clean Fuel Standard (221 KB) 
  • December 20, 2019: King County and Cities’ Comment Letter to the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission on Energy Utilities Planning Processes (227 KB) 
  • September 27, 2019: King County and Cities’ Comment Letter to the Washington State Building Code Council on Proposed Residential Energy Code Improvements (273 KB) 
  • October 22, 2018: Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule for Model Years 2021-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks (680 KB) 
  • February 21, 2018: Executive Constantine and Mayors’ comment letter to the UTC on PSE’s Integrated Resource Plan (258 KB) 
  • November 21, 2017: Executive Constantine PSE Settlement Agreement - Letter of Support (46 KB PDF) 
  • August 2017: Executive Constantine and Mayors’ comment letter to the UTC on PSE’s General Rate Case (253 KB) 
  • July 6, 2017: Executive Constantine veto request to Governor Inslee for tax exemption for new natural gas power plants (279 KB) 
  • April 11, 2017: Executive Constantine and Mayors' comment letter to the Utilities and Transportation Commission related to policy on Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure (311 KB) 
  • February 3, 2016: Executive Constantine and Mayors' comment letter on Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) Integrated Resource Plan (299 KB) 
  • September 15, 2015: Executive Constantine and Mayors' comment letter on the Utility and Transportation Commission (UTC) investigation of Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE) Colstrip Coal Power Plant (384 KB) 
  • December 17, 2014: Local elected leaders welcome Governor's climate proposal 
  • December 5, 2013: King County and Cities Letter to the Washington State Climate Legislative and Executive Workgroup (CLEW) (378 KB) 
  • July 31, 2013: Executive Constantine and Mayors' comment letter on Puget Sound Energy's long term plans and its Colstrip Coal Power Plant (152 KB) 

K4C events and elected official work sessions

Town Halls

May 10, 2022 Town Hall

King County Executive Dow Constantine, Bellevue Council Member Janice Zahn, and Maple Valley Council Member Victoria Schroff hosted a virtual Town Hall to discuss key themes from the recent K4C Elected Official Work Session. Topics of discussion included:

  • State and federal funding opportunities for advancing regional climate priorities
  • Mobility safety as a climate and public health policy
  • Opportunities to reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions with increased urgency
  • Communicating the climate crisis with residents

Watch the Zoom recording (May 10, 2022 Town Hall)

October 19, 2021 Town Hall

King County Executive Dow Constantine, Redmond Mayor Angela Birney, Issaquah Mayor Mary Lou Pauly, and Burien Councilmember Nancy Tosta hosted a virtual Town Hall for King County residents. King County staff recapped discussions from the October 14th Elected Official Work Session and facilitated a series of panel discussions with elected officials. Constituents asked questions throughout, and key themes of interest/questions included:

  • Funding retrofits for existing buildings (both commercial and residential) to remove natural gas, become more efficient, and add cooling
  • Plans cities have to adopt more stringent building codes and how to bolster these efforts
  • How to encourage more cities to join the K4C

Watch the Zoom recording (October 19, 2021 Town Hall)

July 1, 2021 Town Hall 

On July 1st, Executive Constantine hosted a virtual Climate Town Hall with several other King County elected officials to discuss recent K4C work and address constituent questions on the climate crisis.

Watch the July 1, 2021 Town Hall on YouTube

Elected official work session agendas

Related Topics

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