The Climate Commitment Act is Here to Stay

The Nature Conservancy is heartened that voters in Washington state have upheld the state’s landmark climate legislation, the Climate Commitment Act, by rejecting Initiative 2117.  

With initial elections results showing over 61% (as of Nov. 5, 2024) rejecting I-2117 (with more ballots counted in the coming days), voters have resoundingly demonstrated their support for state-level climate action. This sends a strong message against any future efforts to repeal or water down the Climate Commitment Act. 

Washingtonians have demonstrated a resolve to be leaders in the nation and tackle the climate crisis while protecting communities from the impacts of pollution.

We are grateful to the No on 2117 campaign and to our nearly 600 coalition partners and Tribal Nations across Washington state who worked together over these many months. We thank all those who contributed to our campaign and to the many volunteers—all those who knocked on doors and made phone calls—and to the thousands of Washingtonians who supported our efforts. In particular, we want to thank the dozens of community-based organizations that helped reach voters across the state in their home languages to spread the message of this campaign.

The Climate Commitment Act will continue to provide the estimated $9.1 billion in economic activity spurred by critical investments in programs for water, air pollution, preventing wildfires, fish habitat and transportation, leading to 45,000 new jobs over the next 8 years. This includes everything from grants to communities to reduce toxic air pollution, support for Tribal Nations in addressing the threat of climate change, resources for farmers, utility discounts for low-income households and programs to protect fish habitat and salmon recovery.  

"The Climate Commitment Act is a nationally significant piece of legislation for its commitment to investing in climate resilience for frontline communities and addressing the disproportionate impact of pollution on communities of color and Tribal Nations,” said David Mendoza, The Nature Conservancy’s Washington Director of Policy and Government Relations.