Climate Mayors Announces New 2026 Steering Committee Members
Mayors Kirk Watson (Austin, TX), Randall Woodfin (Birmingham, AL), Rex Richardson (Long Beach, CA), Patricia Lock Dawson (Riverside, CA), Daniel Lurie (San Francisco, CA), and Nadia Mohamed (St. Louis Park, MN) join Climate Mayors’ leadership committee in continued commitment to drive ambitious climate solutions
Washington, D.C. (November 13, 2025) – Today, Climate Mayors proudly announced the addition of six city leaders to its 2026 Steering Committee: Mayors Kirk Watson (Austin, TX), Randall Woodfin (Birmingham, AL), Rex Richardson (Long Beach, CA), Patricia Lock Dawson (Riverside, CA), Daniel Lurie (San Francisco, CA), and Nadia Mohamed (St. Louis Park, MN). Representing U.S. cities on the West Coast, the South and the Midwest, these leaders are building thriving and clean energy economies delivering lower costs, fighting climate change, and cutting pollution in their communities.
The newly appointed Steering Committee members bring determination, deep expertise, and a commitment to providing affordable energy, resilient communities, and a healthy future for generations to come. These mayors join the 23 other Climate Mayors Steering Committee members from across the nation who are leading in this critical time of federal retrenchment on climate change and clean energy. As showcased at the COP30 Local Leaders Forum, this group of leaders is ready to carry the climate leadership and election momentum of 2025 forward into 2026, turning climate ambition into tangible benefits felt by communities across the country.
“We're proud to welcome six outstanding mayors to our steering committee. These leaders have each demonstrated leadership by implementing climate solutions that lower costs, reduce toxic pollution, and build healthier, safer communities,” said Kate Wright, Executive Director of Climate Mayors. “Their vision, experience, and commitment will help us leverage new opportunities, expand our hard-won progress, and deliver real results for communities across the country. With their leadership, Climate Mayors are poised to accelerate the transition to thriving, safe and affordable cities for all.”
Mayor Kirk Watson, Austin, TX
In Austin, Mayor Watson has made accelerating solar and battery deployment a central component of the city’s future operations and maximizing investment opportunities at the local level. He has also taken steps to address climate impacts head on and mitigate extreme wildfire risks. These efforts have included fuel reduction efforts, updated building codes, and collaboration with neighborhood associations to boost preparedness and resilience.
“Austin is harnessing the power of the sun to expand local and utility scale solar and battery storage opportunities. As a result, we’re seeing the availability of more plentiful electricity solutions that are powering our city operations while reducing harmful emissions. I’m honored to join the Steering Committee and work with peers to safeguard our cities and seize the opportunities of the clean energy transition,” said Mayor Watson.
Mayor Randall Woodfin, Birmingham, AL
Mayor Woodfin has championed practical and innovative solutions to improve life for residents in Birmingham while reducing emissions. The city is well on its way to electrifying 50% of its municipal fleet and has expanded its e-bike voucher program to provide alternative transportation options for community members.
“Birmingham is a prime example that even in a red state, we can make real progress on fleet electrification and equitable transportation solutions that benefit all residents and improve the quality of life in our city. As a Steering Committee member, I will advocate for sustained investment in climate programs and share Birmingham’s lessons and work with other Climate Mayors to help other cities accelerate all of their climate goals,” said Mayor Randall Woodfin, City of Birmingham.
Mayor Rex Richardson, Long Beach, CA
Mayor Richardson is advancing the decarbonization of his city’s trade industry by electrifying the Port of Long Beach—one of the greenest ports in the nation—and leading the establishment of the world’s first green shipping corridor. He has led Long Beach’s transition away from dependence on oil extraction by prioritizing local investments that are helping the city build a more sustainable and resilient economy.
“Long Beach is demonstrating that port cities can lead on climate by electrifying our infrastructure and transitioning away from oil – all while boosting our local economy in the process. As a member of the Steering Committee, I look forward to collaborating with other mayors and showing how cities can lead a large-scale transition toward net-zero infrastructure and solutions that serve our communities,” said Mayor Rex Richardson, City of Long Beach.
Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson, Riverside, CA
Patricia Lock Dawson is currently serving her second term as Mayor of the City of Riverside. A wildlife biologist by training and a lifelong public servant, Mayor Lock Dawson has been a dedicated advocate for environmental stewardship and sustainability.
She previously served as President of the Rivers and Lands Conservancy and currently sits on several prominent boards, including the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), and the Riverside Conservation Authority. She also serves as Vice Chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Standing Committee on the Environment.
As Mayor, Lock Dawson has positioned Riverside as a leader in climate action, putting the city on track to achieve 69% renewable energy by 2027, hosting the city’s first local Town Hall COP to connect global climate goals with community action, and attracting six green technology manufacturing companies to Riverside within the past 18 months.
“As a lifelong public servant, I’ve always believed that good environmental policy is also good economic policy. In Riverside, we’ve shown that sustainability and prosperity go hand in hand. From putting our city on track to reach 69% renewable energy by 2027, to hosting our first local Town Hall COP to bring global climate goals home, to attracting six new green technology manufacturers in the past 18 months, we’re proving that cities can lead the way in building a cleaner, more resilient future,” said Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson, City of Riverside.
Mayor Daniel Lurie, San Francisco, CA
San Francisco under Mayor Lurie’s leadership has emerged as a champion for climate action, having received the U.S Conference of Mayor’s top national climate honor in 2025. Mayor Lurie has focused his efforts on clean mobility, building electrification, and streamlining climate innovation as the city takes steps to reach new bold targets that will be announced in its forthcoming 2025 Climate Plan.
“San Francisco has long been a leader in climate protection and a hub for innovative climate ideas. As our city gears up to announce new targets in our updated Climate Action Plan, I’m looking forward to bringing our city’s innovations to the 2026 Steering Committee. I’m honored to work alongside other leaders who are turning climate ideas into real progress for our communities.,” said Mayor Daniel Lurie, City and County of San Francisco.
Mayor Nadia Mohamed, St. Louis Park, MN
Mayor Mohamed has risen as a national leader on sustainability and inclusion, prioritizing the defense of and expansion of climate investments, accelerating clean energy adoption, and building resilient, equitable communities. She’s shown how climate action and affordable housing are intertwined, and focused efforts on creating more housing options for low-income communities while aiming to achieve carbon neutrality in St. Louis Park by 2040.
“Cities are on the front lines of climate impacts and the most vulnerable communities stand to be impacted the most. I’m dedicated to defending climate investments, expanding clean energy, and ensuring our all of our residents benefit from these efforts. It’s an honor to help guide this work through Climate Mayors,” said Mayor Nadia Mohamed, City of St. Louis Park.
Climate Mayors Steering Committee Members:
We celebrate the following members who will be part of our steering committee in 2026 and will work to advance Climate Mayors mission to drive local climate action:
Tim Keller, Albuquerque, NM; Andre Dickens, Atlanta, GA; Kirk Watson, Austin, TX; Michael P. Cahill, Beverly, MA; Randall Woodfin, Birmingham, AL; Lauren McLean, Boise, ID; Michelle Wu, Boston, MA; Justin Bibb, Cleveland, OH; Barbara Buffaloe, Columbia, MO; Daniel Rickenmann, Columbia, SC; Eric Johnson, Dallas, TX; Jim Hovland, Edina, MN; Indya Kincannon, Knoxville, TN; Leirion Gaylor Baird, Lincoln, NE; Frank Scott, Little Rock, AR; Rex Richardson, Long Beach, CA; Karen Bass, Los Angeles, CA; Satya Rhodes-Conway, Madison, WI; Jacob Frey, Minneapolis, MN; Shawyn Patterson-Howard, Mount Vernon, NY; Buddy Dyer, Orlando, FL; Kate Gallego, Phoenix, AZ; Angela Birney, Redmond, WA; Patricia Lock Dawson, Riverside, CA; Daniel Lurie, San Francisco, CA; Nadia Mohamed, St. Louis Park, MN; Caroline Simmons, Stamford, CT; Jane Castor, Tampa, FL; Regina Romero, Tucson, AZ;
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About Climate Mayors
Climate Mayors is a bipartisan network of nearly 350 mayors, demonstrating climate leadership through meaningful actions in their communities since 2014. Representing 46 states and nearly 60 million Americans, Climate Mayors reflects U.S. cities’ commitment to climate progress. For more information, visit our website and follow Climate Mayors on X, Bluesky, and LinkedIn.
Media Contact: climatemayors@fgsglobal.com
