San Jose names Climate Smart Champions

The City of San José recently named 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.

“These climate champions are showing how local action makes a real difference, from cleaner air to greater energy resilience,” said City Manager Jennifer Maguire in a release.

Presented annually by the city, the awards recognize those who are advancing innovative solutions, engaging their communities and helping move San José toward its climate goals.

John Brazil was named Climate Smart Champion of the Year for his decades of leadership in expanding San José’s bikeway network and helping make biking safer and more connected. Another cycling advocate, Jordan Moldow, earned the Climate Smart Mobility Champion title.

Made Simple Heating & Air Inc. was dubbed the Climate Smart Energy Champion for helping San José homeowners make the switch to cleaner, more energy-efficient homes by providing high-efficiency heat pump installations and support navigating rebates and incentives.

60 SOMA Fee Owner CA, LLC was named this year’s Climate Smart Water Conservation Champion for its innovative building upgrades that reduced water use by 25% below the local average.

Kanika Rawat, this year’s Climate Smart Youth Champion, created the Climate Smart Youth Video Competition for students to share their voices, engage with local government and inspire climate action across the San José community.

Climate Resilient Communities got the nod as Climate Smart Equity Champion 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.

Cisco was named Climate Smart Business Champion 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.