NEWS RELEASE: City of San José Announces the 2026 Climate Smart Champion Award Winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Oshi Jauco, Public Information Manager, San José Clean Energy
408-533-3764; [email protected]

City of San José Announces the 2026 Climate Smart Champion Award Winners
San José recognizes local leaders advancing climate action through innovation, sustainability, and community impact

SAN JOSE, Calif. (June 23, 2026) - The City of San José is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Climate Smart Champion Awards, honoring individuals, businesses, and organizations whose actions are helping create a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable future for our community.

"We commend our 2026 Climate Smart Champions for setting an example and inspiring others across San José to take action toward a greener, more sustainable future," said City Manager Jennifer Maguire. "These climate champions are showing how local action makes a real difference, from cleaner air to greater energy resilience, their leadership is shaping the future of San José."

Presented annually by the City, the Climate Smart Champion Awards celebrate outstanding contributions across a range of climate and sustainability efforts. The awards recognize those who are advancing innovative solutions, engaging their communities, and helping move San José toward its climate goals. This year's recipients represent a diverse group of changemakers whose work is making a positive impact across the city.

"Our 2026 Climate Smart Champions remind us that creating a more sustainable future is a shared effort," said Mayor Matt Mahan. "Whether through innovation, advocacy, or everyday actions, individuals and businesses across San José are proving that meaningful change is possible when we all do our part."

2026 Climate Smart Champion Award Recipients

• Climate Smart Champion of the Year: John Brazil for decades of leadership in expanding San José's bikeway network, helping make biking safer, more connected, and a practical transportation option for people of all ages and abilities.
• Climate Smart Mobility Champion: Jordan Moldow for his dedication to making San José safer and more bike-friendly through community advocacy, public engagement, and efforts to encourage cleaner, healthier ways to get around.
• Climate Smart Energy Champion: Made Simple Heating & Air Inc. for helping San José homeowners make the switch to cleaner, more energy-efficient homes by providing trusted guidance, high-efficiency heat pump installations, and support navigating rebates and incentives.
• Climate Smart Water Conservation Champion: 60 SOMA Fee Owner CA, LLC for its commitment to water conservation through innovative building upgrades that reduced water use by 25% below the local average while improving efficiency and sustainability throughout its operations.
• Climate Smart Youth Champion: Kanika Rawat for empowering young people to take action on climate change through the inaugural Climate Smart Youth Video Competition, creating opportunities for students to share their voices, engage with local government, and inspire climate action across the San José community.
• Climate Smart Equity Champion: Climate Resilient Communities for empowering residents in some of San José's most climate-vulnerable neighborhoods to lead local climate solutions, strengthening community resilience through resident-driven projects, partnerships, and preparedness efforts.
• Climate Smart Business Champion: Cisco for its leadership in sustainability and climate action, achieving a 90% reduction in operational greenhouse gas emissions, sourcing 100% renewable electricity for its global operations, and advancing innovative clean energy projects in San José and beyond.

"What makes this group of honorees special is the diversity of their contributions," said Julie Benabente, Climate Smart Deputy Director. "This year's award recipients include advocates, young leaders, businesses, and organizations that are each advancing climate solutions in their own way. Together, they show that there is no single path to climate leadership and that everyone has a role to play."

"At San José Clean Energy, we know that climate progress is driven by local leadership and community partnership," said Lori Mitchell, Director of San José Clean Energy. "These Climate Smart Champions are showing how innovative ideas and dedicated action can create lasting benefits for our city."

The City of San José congratulates all of the 2026 Climate Smart Champion Award winners and thanks them for their commitment to creating a more sustainable future for everyone.

Discover our Champion's accomplishments by visiting the Climate Smart Champions webpage and signing up for the Climate Smart San José email list.

Recognition through the Climate Smart Champion Awards does not constitute endorsement by the City of San José or San José Clean Energy of any business, organization, product, or service.

About the City of San José
With almost 1 million residents, San José is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States, Northern California's largest city, and the 13th largest city in the nation. San José's transformation into a global innovation center has resulted in one of the largest concentrations of technology companies and expertise in the world.

About Climate Smart San José
Climate Smart San José (Climate Smart), adopted by the City Council in 2018 and updated in 2025, lays out how San José is addressing climate change. Climate Smart is one of the first detailed City plans for reaching the targets of the international Paris Agreement. To get there, the Climate Smart 2025 update focused the City's efforts on key strategies for energy, transportation, and buildings.

About San José Clean Energy
San José Clean Energy (SJCE) is the local, not-for-profit electricity generation provider for homes and businesses in the City of San José. SJCE is operated by the City's Energy Department and governed by the City Council. SJCE provides more than 350,000 customer accounts with clean energy at competitive rates plus the additional benefits of customer choice, community programs, local control, transparency, and accountability. For more information, please visit www.SanJoseCleanEnergy.org. Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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