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

Record April heat, Clean Streams Ruling stands, and more.

It's officially a heat wave outside. The Wednesday temperature of 91* broke records set in…

5 days ago

Philly’s trash is burned in Chester. Advocates say the health impacts don’t stay there

As Philadelphia considers ending incineration tied to Chester pollution, environmental justice advocates point to health…

6 days ago

Mural Arts Institute closure, bike rack permits, budget hearings & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:  PennDOT to repair potholes in Philly region. The…

2 weeks ago

Data centers are booming in the Garden State. Are local communities ready?

New Jersey is an attractive place to build a data center. Lawmakers and residents are…

2 weeks ago

SEPTA real-time arrivals, FDR Park lawsuit, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:  SEPTA to debut digital bus stop displays. SEPTA…

3 weeks ago

New research shows widespread “ghost forests” in New Jersey

Scientists mapped millions of dead trees along the Atlantic coastline that show the impact of…

3 weeks ago