Atlanta, Southern Company Make Climate Promises. The Challenge Is Making Them Happen

In Atlanta, the city is working on a program to install solar panels on a dozen municipal buildings and on increasing energy efficiency. That’s just part of Atlanta’s ambitious climate change goal. Meanwhile, Atlanta-based Southern Company announced its own emissions goal. Making announcements is one thing, but implementing these goals is another. For Atlanta, it can be complicated.

Jaime Henry-White / Associated Press file

Earlier this year, Atlanta adopted an ambitious climate change goal: To have all homes, businesses and city operations rely largely on renewable energy by 2035.

Meanwhile, Atlanta-based Southern Company announced its own emissions goal: To achieve “low- to no-carbon” by 2050.

Both are part of a trend of companies and local governments making climate change announcements and promises. But making announcements like these is one thing. Implementing them is another.