Going GreenHow Public Agencies are Implementing Strategies for

Sustainability

Alice Sterling, Green City CoordinatorIRWA Chapter 1 – October 20, 2009

Sustainability – A Global Commitment

• For the first time in history, a majority of the world’s population reside in urban areas(World population: 6.791 billion)

• This presents challenges and opportunities for urban cities across the globe(US population: 305 million)

Sustainability1987 United Nations conference defined sustainability as:

….meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

“Green” and “Sustainable” are interchangeable terms that have become part of the new millennium vernacular.

The link between environmental well-being, social equity, and economic prosperity must be balanced to achieve sustainable cities.

Sustainable Cities

•Natural resources

•Pollution prevention

•Standard of living

•Education

•Profit

•Cost savings

Also referred to as the 3-Es, the Triple Bottom Line and People, Plant and Profit.

Green Cities CaliforniaA group of California cities have come together to cooperativelyand collectively take action to accelerate local, regional, national

and international efforts to achieve sustainability.

Green Cities California

1. Berkeley 2. Los Angeles 3. Pasadena 4. Oakland 5. Sacramento 6. San Diego 7. San Francisco 8. San Jose 9. Santa Barbara 10. Santa Monica 11. The County of

Marin

Participating cities – 8 million residents:

Member cities demonstrate leadership by adopting:

• local sustainability plans, • the United Nations Urban Environmental Accords, and • the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement

2005 United Nations Urban Environmental Accords (UEA)

1. Seeks a broad sense of involvement by cities to develop sustainable urban centers based on local action

2. Offers cities worldwide a set of 21 actions to accomplish by 2012 as first steps towards urban sustainability

3. Actions organized by urban themes – 3 actions for every thematic area

4. Cities achieving 8 or more actions will be recognized as Green Star cities in 2012

UEA Green “Umbrella” Policy

7. Water

3 3

3

3

3

33

Green City Plan

UEA 21 Actions

1. Energy

6. Urban Nature

2. Waste 4. Health

3. Urban Design 5. Transportation

3 3

3

3

3

33

Green City Report Card 2008

UN Ranking for Green Star Status

8-11 Actions = One Star

12-15 Actions = Two Star16-18 Actions = Three Star19-21 Actions = Four Star

�21. Waste Water Reduction

49� 8TOTAL

�20. Water Source Protection

�19. Potable Water Conservation

?18. Air Quality

�17. Organic Foods

�16. Toxics Reduction*

�15. Traffic Congestion

�14. Clean Vehicles*

����13. Public Transportation

����12. Habitat Protection

����11. Tree Canopy

?10. Green Space Access

����9. Environmental Jobs

����8. Urban Planning

����7. Green Building

����6. Recycling

�5, Manufacturer Waste*

�4. Zero Waste*

?3, Climate Change

?2, Energy Efficiency

����1. Renewable Energy

UndeterminedLikelyAchievedUEA Action

UEA Action 1 – Increase the use of renewable energy to meet 10% of the city’s peak load by 2012

Energy

• California State goal is 33% by 2020

• Renewable energy = wind, solar, landfill gas, geothermal, biomass digester

• Coal is fossil fuel and contributes to greenhouse gases

1. Conduct a GHG Emissions Inventory Compare vehicle trips by land uses Compare water use, electricity use, natural gas use, solid waste generation

2. Prepare a GHG Reduction PlanConsider proposed land use changes &candidates for reduction (green buildingordinance, zero waste strategies, transit options, etc.)

Energy

UEA Action 3 – Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 25% by 2030 (California State AB 32 requires 25% reduction by 2020)

Water

1. Prohibit water wasting practices (no hose brooming, no excess irrigation, no washing car and leaving hose on)

2. Retrofit toilets, showerheads, urinals, & faucets

3. Plant drought tolerant landscapes

4. Install automatic irrigation controllers

UEA Action 19 – Reduce water consumption 10% by 2015 (State requirement 20% by 2020)

Water Conservation

Promoting water conservation is cheaper than building dams

Reduced water usage means less water treatment, water pumping, and waste water treatment

Water conservation is essential for drought survival

Waste Reduction

UEA Action 4 – Achieve zero waste to landfills by 2040

1. California State requires a minimum 50% diversion

2. Develop a Zero Waste Strategic Plan

3. Offer recycling programs

4. Recycle, reduce reuse

5. GCC funding a study on plastic bags versus paper and reusable

Urban Design

UEA Action 9 – Mandate a green building rating system for all new municipal buildings

Many cities have adopted the US Green Building Council LEED green building rating system standards for municipal buildings.

Photo Courtesy of Tom Paiva

Photo Courtesy of Tom Bonner

LEED CertifiedLEED Gold

LEED Silver

Green BuildingsMany corporations realize the strategic advantage of green buildings –utility cost savings, maintenance savings, leasing, market branding, cutting-edge style, employee attraction.

Photovoltaic (solar) energy

Cool roofs

Products from renewable resources

High efficiency toilets

Naturally lighting in interior spaces

Carpooling, vanpooling and plug-in vehicle spaces

UEA 8 - Advance higher density, walkable, bikeableand disabled accessible neighborhoods

Urban Design - Planning

UEA - Transportation

Action 13 – Expand affordable public transportation coverage to within a ½ kilometer (1,300 feet) of all residents by 2015.

• Dedicate bikeways and bike lanes

• Increase bus transit routes• Accessible bus stops• Rapid transit• Handicap ramps• Link to parks and schools• Provide bike racks

UEA - Urban NatureUEA Action 11 – Conduct an inventory of the tree canopy in the city and plant trees in 50% of sidewalk planting sites

• Develop municipal tree planting programs • Use technology to gather tree canopy data

Plant Protect

Measure

Environmental Health

UEA Action 16 – Reduce or eliminate products, chemicals, or compounds that pose a risk to human health

1. Agencies are adopting green housekeeping standards for city facilities

2. Addressing indoor air quality by avoiding unhealthful paints, sealants, carpeting, and furniture.

3. Green Seal Certified cleaning products specified

4. Employees are sent “Procurement Alerts” on safe products

5. Integrated pest management practices reduce the use of harmful pesticides in buildings and parks

Commitment

Going green is not only an agency, corporation, or city commitment…

It is also a personal commitment requiring behavioral changes.

Going Green Actions• Green Business Program• Green Action Plan• Energy Audit• Water Audit• Waste Audit• Employee “green” training• Green lease provisions• Green office furniture,

carpeting, paint

• Ban smoking• Buy local and organic foods• Always double-side print• Buy recycled content paper• Carry your own reusable

shopping bags• Switch to compact fluorescent

lights

www.cityofpasadena.net/greencity

www.greencitiescalifornia.org (Under construction)

Alice Sterling asterling@cityofpasadena.net

Contacts