"The Mesa Climate Action Plan (MCAP), a Mayor and Council priority initiative, is our commitment to proactively and responsibly protect and conserve Mesa’s environment and natural resources." - Mesa Climate Action Plan

The Mesa Climate Action Plan is the city’s roadmap for achieving long-term environmental sustainability while improving quality of life for residents. Its core goals include reaching carbon neutrality by 2050, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding renewable energy use, conserving water, and enhancing heat mitigation.

What does that mean for your Mesa landscaping project?

The plan emphasizes six focus areas: energy, air quality, heat mitigation, water stewardship, materials management, and food systems; connected to local initiatives for sustainable living and climate resilience. Mesa prioritizes community involvement, encouraging residents and businesses to contribute to a more efficient, eco-friendly city.

For the landscaping sector, the plan brings major shifts in design priorities and project incentives. The city promotes xeriscaping and turf removal, rewarding homeowners and developers who replace grass lawns with drought-tolerant, desert-adapted plants. Initiatives like the “Grass-to-Xeriscape Incentive” and “Trees Are Cool” programs encourage landscapes that reduce water use and combat the urban heat island effect.

Drought Tolerant Replacement Plants

"The converted grass area must be replaced with low-water-use plants that, when fully mature, will provide a plant canopy coverage of at least 50 percent (50%) of the area. Grass cannot be replaced with just artificial turf or rock. All new plants must be on the Arizona Department of Water Resources Low-Water-Use / Drought-Tolerant Plant List. A subset of all allowable low-water-use plants is available in a user-friendly online format. New plantings of high-water-use plants do not count towards coverage."

This positions low-water, native-plant landscaping not just as an aesthetic choice but as an essential part of the city’s sustainability goals. Landscapers who integrate drip irrigation systems, shade tree planting, and heat-resilient ground cover will be more aligned with Mesa’s vision and can potentially access incentives or rebates.

Over time, the plan could reshape how landscaping projects are marketed and executed in Mesa. Contractors and designers who specialize in water-smart landscapes, sustainable irrigation retrofits, and native flora installation will likely see increased demand. Projects that reduce runoff, improve shading, or support pollinator-friendly vegetation will gain city and homeowner interest alike.

In essence, Mesa’s Climate Action Plan reimagines landscaping as a vital facet of environmental stewardship; where aesthetic appeal, efficiency, and climate responsibility converge to foster a cooler, greener, and more resilient community.