SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL
At Visit Tucson, we are shaping a sustainable future for a one-of-a-kind place where the desert inspires dreamers, authenticity thrives, and standing up for our home is celebrated. We’re committed to preserving our heritage and promoting sustainable tourism that protects the environment, conserves resources, and supports our community’s cultural traditions and well-being. Working with local partners, we champion initiatives that safeguard the Sonoran Desert while ensuring Tucson continues to inspire all who live in and visit the city.
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
WE'RE COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE ACTION
VISIT TUCSON'S PROGRESS TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
TUCSON IS A CLIMATE FORWARD DESTINATION
Climate Action
The City of Tucson’s climate action plan, called Tucson Resilient Together, was approved by Mayor and Council in 2023 and takes bold steps to collectively advance climate action and make Tucson a climate resilient and thriving city for future generations. It aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. In 2024, Pima County approved its Priority Climate Action Plan, outlining 25 projects that align with the EPA’s directive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through 2030.
Solar City
Since 2007, Tucson has been designated by the U.S. Department of Energy as a Solar America City. Tucson’s municipal electric utility is committed to net zero direct greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with an 80 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2035.
Tucson Million Trees
The Tucson Million Trees initiative plans to plant one million trees by 2030 to increase the city’s tree canopy and help mitigate the effects of climate change. Tucson was awarded a $5 million urban forestry grant “to invest in Tucson neighborhoods on the frontlines of climate change.” To date, the city has planted more than 120,000 trees.
Water Conservation
Tucson’s heritage of conservation has established our community as one of the most water-resilient cities in the Southwest, partially thanks to many decades of conservation education efforts by Tucson Water. Tucson also leads the nation in residential stormwater harvesting innovation with an equity-based city program called Storm to Shade.
Zero Waste City
Tucson has free residential composting through Compost Cats and the Food Cycle Program that has diverted more than 20 million pounds of food waste from landfills in the last 10 years. We are proud to be a pilot city for ByFusion and Hefty’s Hard to Recycle Plastics Program, further reducing landfill burden. Tucson’s Zero Waste Roadmap aims to create a circular economy that decreases negative impacts and improves quality of life.
