03 Feb Annual Review of Office of Sustainability and Progress on Sustainability Action Agenda

2013 Year-in-Review

With January comes the sense of a fresh start and unlimited potential. While there’s a lot of thought put into making resolutions for the coming year, it’s also a chance to celebrate the previous year’s accomplishments. As we’ve been both strategizing AND reflecting over the last few weeks, the Office of Sustainability is finding a lot of reasons to celebrate. Our team is proud of the following 2013 accomplishments:

1. Recognized 111 local businesses as Austin Green Business Leaders, representing more than 12,000 employees and 10.2 million square feet of office space.

2. Awarded 19 $3,000 Bright Green Future Grants (an increase from 3 awards in 2012) for elementary, middle, and high school sustainability projects that promote environmental stewardship among K-12 students, as well as the broader community.

3. Raised Positive Impact on Climate and Community (PICC) funds in partnership with the Austin City Limits Music Festival to support Hill Country Conservancy’s Violet Crown Trail Project and offset over 2.2 million pounds of CO2.

4. Won a $152,000 Federal Highway Administration grant in partnership with Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) to make Austin’s transportation system more resilient to climate change (the final report will be released in late 2014).

5. Received a 2013 Climate Leadership Award from the Environmental Protection Agency and its non-profit partners: Association of Climate Change Officers, Center for Climate & Energy Solutions, and The Climate Registry.

6. Achieved a ranking of 6th in the nation for energy efficiency by the American Society for Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

7. Adopted a Sustainable Printer and Paper Policy for the City of Austin, as well as initiated a Sustainable Purchasing Pilot program, to save energy, natural resources, and money, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

8. Worked with more than 100 City staff from across departments as well as subject matter experts from state and federal agencies and community organizations to collect data and benchmark performance against 500 measures of community-wide sustainability in 44 categories as part of the application process for the STAR Community Rating System (the final rating will be announced spring of 2014).

9. Completed an EcoDistrict opportunity assessment to identify strategies for green development on the 70-acre project area that includes redevelopment of the Seaholm Power Plant, Green Water Treatment Plant, and new LEED-Certified Central Library.

10. Reached more than 10,000 members of the local, national, and international community face-to-face at numerous events, including the annual Earth Day festival, SXSW Eco Conference, University of Texas/Munich Germany Energy Xchange, and Future of Cities Conference.

Happy 2014 – let’s all work together to make it a bright, green year for Austin!

Sustainability Action Agenda Report  –  Download PDF attached at bottom

Sustainability means finding balance among three goals:

• Prosperity and Jobs

• Protecting the Environment

• Community Health, Equity, and Cultural Vitality

Sustainability involves taking positive, proactive steps to protect our quality of life now and for future generations. The City of Austin has a strong record for sustainability leadership, with numerous innovative community-focused projects and programs that are achieving tangible results. The Office of Sustainability tracks and reports on these initiatives using a framework known as the Sustainability Action Agenda. Launched on Earth Day of 2012, the Action Agenda identifies 10 focus areas that shape how Austinites live, work, and play. This Progress Report highlights accomplishments related to the implementation of more than 180 projects being achieved through the contributions of 24 City departments.

Action Agenda Highlights VIEW THE PDF ATTACHED FOR METRICS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1.Energy & Climate

Making Austin the leading city in the nation in climate protection, energy efficiency and renewable power, while reducing the negative impacts of global warming.

2.Ecosystems & Green Infrastructure

Protecting watershed health and environmentally sensitive areas, as well as integrating nature into the city by providing interconnected green spaces for recreation, transportation, and habitat.

3.Arts & Culture

Supporting Austin’s creative economy and cultural assets as an inspiring part of our community identity, while greening their impacts.

4.Zero Waste

Reducing waste generation, diverting the amount of solid waste sent to landfills and incinerators, and recovering useful resources.

5.Schools & Youth

Encouraging environmental stewardship, engagement in the arts, and career-readiness by providing learning opportunities in nature, hands-on sustainability projects, and workplace training for students.

6.Water Security

Sustainably managing and protecting our water resources by creating a culture of conservation.

7.Health & Safety

Ensuring a healthy community, providing local and healthy food, encouraging active and tobacco-free living, and reducing threats from environmental risks.

8. Livability & Complete Neighborhoods

Encouraging the development ofneighborhoods that provide access to alternative and public transportation, are safe and affordable, promote physical activity, and are designed according to green design and construction principles.

9.Mobility & Air Quality

Investing in a compact and connected Austin that is less car dependent and more walking, bicycling, and transit friendly.

10.Green Economy & Innovation

Growing Austin’s economy by investing in green jobs for our workforce, clean energy and technology, environmental entrepreneurs, and local businesses who promote sustainability in their operational choices.