News

Christine Knapp is stepping down as Director of Sustainability at the end of August

Saleem Chapman will become the next Director of Sustainability.

The City of Philadelphia announced that Christine Knapp will step down as Director of the Office of Sustainability. Knapp will leave the role at the end of August after six years in the role.

Knapp has led Philadelphia’s sustainability and climate action work, including the creation and Implementation of Greenworks, the city’s sustainability framework. Additionally, she created the City’s first Climate Action Playbook, managed Philadelphia’s role in managing the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge and more.

“It has been an honor to serve as the Director of Sustainability for Philadelphia. I’m incredibly proud of our team’s accomplishments and that we’ve become nationally recognized as leaders in the climate fight. The urgency of the climate crisis requires continued and increasingly ambitious action, and I know the City is well-positioned to meet that challenge” said Christine Knapp in a press release.

Mayor Jim Kenney has appointed Saleem Chapman to fill the role of the next Director. Chapman has served as the Deputy Director of the Office of Sustainability for three years and was appointed the City’s first Chief Resilience Officer in 2021. 


Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake.

Recent Posts

1000+ trees planted, end of free A/C program, canvassing to save SEPTA, & more

Catch up on the latest in sustainability news: Trash cleanup group starts a new video…

1 day ago

The City’s Tree Plan calls for significantly increasing our leafy coverage. So, why are our large trees continued to be chopped down?

How one neighbor’s loss reflects a citywide dilemma.  “SAVE MY TREE!” That’s what Nicole Fakhoury…

4 days ago

Navy Yard is nation’s largest LEED neighborhood, Rare ‘Franklin’ trees & more

Catch up on this week’s sustainability news:  Philadelphia Navy Yard is now the largest LEED…

1 week ago

For these Philadelphians, nature is a pathway to healing from gun violence

For some survivors, hiking and gardens offer deeper healing than pharmaceuticals. This story is the…

1 week ago

How Councilmember Jamie Gauthier addresses inequity and sustainability

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier is Green Philly’s latest Civic Catalyst. Read how Gauthier uses her role…

1 week ago

Where Are The Trees We Were Promised?

Two years into the City’s first-ever Tree Plan, our leafy coverage has remained static. What…

2 weeks ago