Our Green Cities

Taking Sustainable Cities Seriously



Climate Protection
One of the central elements of cities’ sustainability programs involves efforts to reduce air emissions so that they can contribute to climate protection. The specific programs and policies used to accomplish this are varied, but all seek to protect and improve the quality of the ambient air of the city. 
 
Three separate national efforts have been organized to promote the participation of local governments in the challenges of climate protection. 
 
The first is the Cities for Climate Protection Program (CCP) operated by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). There are currently 190 local governments that have signed on as part of this program. (List of Participating Cities and List of ICLEI’s Regional Capacity Centers)
 
The second program is The Clinton Foundation Climate Initiative. For more information on this initiative click here.
 
The third program is the more recent effort spearheaded by Mayor Greg Nichols of Seattle through the U.S. Conference of Mayors. This effort, centered on the U.S. Mayors Climate Change Agreement, now has 442 mayors signed on. The Agreement calls for cities to:
 
  • Inventory global warming emissions in City operations and in the community, set reduction targets, and create an action plan
  • Adopt and enforce land-use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and create compact, walkable urban communities
  • Promote transportation options such as bicycle trails, commute trip reduction programs, incentives for carpooling and public transit
  • Increase the use of clean, alternative, energy by, for example, investing in “green tags,” advocating for the development of renewable energy sources, and recovering landfill methane for energy production
  • Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements, retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient lighting and urging employees to conserve energy and save money
  • Purchase only Energy Star equipment and applicance for City use
  • Practice and promote sustainable building practices using the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program or similar system
  • Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles; reduce the number of vehicles; launch an employee education program including anti-idling messages; convert diesel vehicles to bio-diesel
  • Evaluate opportunities to increase pump efficiency in water and wastewater systems; recover wastewater treatment methane for energy production
  • Increase recycling rates in City operations and in the community
  • Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree planting to increase shading and to absorb CO2
  • Help education the public, schools, other jurisdictions, professional associations, business and industry about reducing global warming pollution