New Haven Launches City Office of Climate And Sustainability

NEW HAVEN, CT —Just launched, the city's new Office of Climate and Sustainability is charged with working with city departments, community organizations, and New Haven residents to advance and coordinate citywide climate and environmental sustainability policies, practices, and initiatives. Mayor Justin Elicker made the announcement Monday at a news briefing and appointed Steven B. Winter as its first executive director.

“To address the climate crisis, we need a whole-of-government approach that works across all city departments and we need a collective citywide effort that engages and involves our residents and community partners,” Elicker said. “We need people who are laser-focused every day on the task of decreasing our carbon emissions and increasing our sustainability practices, and the Office of Climate and Sustainability is charged with that very mission and purpose.”

Elicker first proposed the creation of the Office of Climate and Sustainability in January 2022, utilizing $5 million in federal American Rescue Plan dollars to support the City’s “Carbon Free Future Program” with funds dedicated to climate-related city initiatives, climate community programs, and the creation and staffing of the Office of Climate and Sustainability.

The New Haven Board of Alders approved those funds in August 2022.

Winter reports directly to Elicker.

“In Steve Winter, we have an individual who has deep subject matter expertise, knowledge of our city government, and strong relationships in the community. He is an ideal fit for this critical role and I’m confident will help us tackle our climate and sustainability challenges with the urgency and resolve that’s needed to meet this moment,” Elicker said.

Since 2018, Winter served as an elected member of the New Haven Board of Alders for Ward 21, representing the communities of Prospect Hill, Newhallville, and Dixwell. He also served as an aldermanic representative to the City’s Environmental Advisory Council.

In 2017, he co-founded and served as the chief financial officer for Catalyst Cooperative. In this capacity, Winter helped lead the organization’s efforts to “bring data and analysis to the fight for clean energy and a stable climate” and to advance multi-faceted climate policy solutions. In this role, Winter worked with leading energy-related advocacy non-profits, quasi-governmental organizations, and other entities. Winter brings a lifelong passion for and commitment to climate and sustainability issues, having served in several other related professional roles and positions as well as in advocacy and volunteer capacities.

Winter graduated magna cum laude from Yale University with a B.A. in Philosophy. He also has been trained in solar electric design and installation, as well as battery-based solar election design by Solar Energy International.

"I'm honored to be appointed by Mayor Elicker to serve as the first executive director of the City's new Office of Climate and Sustainability, and I look forward to working with the Mayor, City staff, and my fellow New Haveners as we urgently respond to the climate crisis in ways that directly improve the lives of the City's residents,” said Steven Winter, Executive Director for the Office of Climate and Sustainability. “That urgency is doubled as our work on climate, energy, and sustainability intersects with the challenges our residents face on a day-to-day basis: from housing quality and affordability, to air quality and respiratory health, to job opportunities and the need for investment in traditionally underserved neighborhoods. I'm thrilled to get started."

Other speakers at the press conference included local climate leaders Kai Addae, Chair of the New Haven Climate Emergency Task Force, and Patricia Joseph, a student leader from the New Haven Climate Movement. Other attendees included: Laura Cahn and Kathy Fay, Chair and Vice-Chair of the New Haven Environmental Advisory Council; Chris Schweitzer from the New Haven Climate Movement; Alder Sal Punzo (Ward 17); and New Haven City Engineer Giovanni Zinn, among others.

The New Haven Environmental Advisory Council also released a statement saying, “The Environmental Advisory Council congratulates our aldermanic representative, Steve Winter, on becoming the first Executive Director of Climate and Sustainability in New Haven. For years, many Elm City environmental champions have advocated for having a dedicated sustainability staff at City Hall. We thank Mayor Elicker for his wise choice of leader for the City’s sustainability initiatives and everyone who made this day possible. Steve, we wish you great success and look forward to working with you in your new role. We know this appointment will result in a healthier, safer New Haven.”