Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG, COG)
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, or "COG", convenes area governments and other stakeholders to identify, discuss, and resolve critical issues in the National Capital Region. COG helps develop regional strategies in the environment, affordable housing, growth and development, public health, child welfare, public safety, homeland security, and transportation sectors.
Founded in 1957, COG is an independent, non-profit association comprised of elected officials from 22 local governments, members of the Maryland and Virginia state legislatures, and members of the U.S. Congress. On behalf of its member governments, the Council advocates before state and federal agencies, state legislatures, and Congress. COG is supported by financial contributions from its participating local governments, federal and state grants and contracts, and donations from foundations and the private sector.
COG's 'Smart Growth and Adaptation to Climate Change' project began in the fall of 2010 and focuses on climate adaptation approaches that are relevant to four sectors - including buildings, land use, transportation and water. COG held a Climate Impacts Symposium on May 21, 2012, which focused on the planning implications of potential changes in precipitation patterns, sea level rise, flooding, and water quality in the National Capital Region. The resulting materials from this event are available on their website.
In 2008, COG produced the 'National Capital Region Climate Change Report', which includes significant greenhouse gas reduction goals for the region, summarized regional climate impacts and adaptation recommendations. Since this publication, the Climate, Energy and Environment Policy Committee was created by the COG Board of Directors to provide leadership on climate change, energy, green building, alternative fuels, solid waste and recycling issues, and to help support area governments as they work together to meet the goals as outlined in the 2008 report. The committee includes representatives from COG’s 21 member governments, state environmental, energy, and transportation agencies, state legislatures, the Air Quality Public Advisory Committee, federal and regional agencies, electric and gas utilities, environmental organizations, business organizations, and members of the academic community.
Phone: (202) 962-3200
Sectors:
Related Resources:
- Building a Climate Resilient National Capital Region
- Using Smart Growth Strategies to Create More Resilient Communities in the Washington D.C. Region
- National Capital Region Climate Change Report
- Summary of Potential Climate Change Impacts, Vulnerabilities, and Adaptation Strategies in the Metropolitan Washington Region (Washington D.C.)
- Climate Change Adaptation in the Metropolitan Washington Region: Draft Transportation Sector Vulnerabilities
- Metropolitan Washington Council of Government’s Environmental Justice Toolkit
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