The city of Kent joined 13 other King County cities and agencies as a member of the King County Cities Climate Collaboration (K4C).

K4C partners together represent 1.6 million people and 80 percent of the county’s population. The other members are Bellevue, Burien, Issaquah, Kirkland, Mercer Island, Normandy Park, Port of Seattle, Redmond, Renton, Sammamish, Seattle, Shoreline, Snoqualmie and Tukwila.

Members of the K4C commit to collaborating to reduce global and local sources of pollution that contribute to climate change, according to a city of Kent media release. They agree to partner on local solutions that help build a cleaner, stronger and more resilient regional economy.

In addition to working together on outreach and communications, funding and resources for climate-related programs and sharing success stories, challenges, and best practices, the K4C hosts monthly GreenTools Sustainable Cities Roundtable events, a series of training sessions dedicated to green building and climate change policy. By becoming an official member of the K4C, the city of Kent has demonstrated a commitment to collaborating with its neighbors to reduce climate change impacts as a group.

“Kent is the third largest city in King County, and it hosts a diversified mix of 21st century industries whose companies bring new expertise to a community already rich in innovation and industrial technologies,” Mayor Dana Ralph said. “Kent companies regularly win awards for their green operations and commitment to our natural environment. Manufacturers like Hexcel, NetIG and WorldCNG have reduced waste in every aspect – from composting and recycling to tracking their carbon footprints. Innovation doesn’t just happen on the manufacturing floor. It’s a way of doing business.”

Kent is the sixth largest city in Washington with a population of more than 128,000.