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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustainability Office ActionsOverview: Office of Sustainability City of South Bend Therese Dorau Director, Office of Sustainability Feb. 27, 2019 Office of Sustainability Est. 2014 Balance a healthy planet, healthy society, and healthy economy in our community, today –while making sure future generations will have what they need to live well. Sustainability: The Triple Bottom Line Sustainability Office Goals Create a culture of sustainability as “business as usual” across all municipal operations Incorporate sustainability into awareness, culture, and common practice of South Bend businesses and residents Prepare for impacts of climate change in the community Reduce the community’s greenhouse gas emissions History of the Sustainability Office Recovery Act (2009-2014) •Mayor Luecke convened Green Ribbon Commission •Municipal Energy Office formed •Federal grant monies expended Operations Focus (2014-2017) MEO becomes Sustainability Office Expand to include waste, water, infrastructure, socioeconomics Reconvene GRC, do listening tour and community survey Mostly internal, mostly project-level Climate Focus (2018-present) Split off facilities functions Increasingly policy-level Reducing emissions and preparing for change Global Covenant as guiding framework Sustainable Initiatives Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Waste Reduction Education and Outreach Find Cost Savings for City Government Waste Reduction and Recycling Alternative Fuel Vehicles Education and Outreach Green Ribbon Commission Renewable Energy Facility Efficiency & Energy Management Regional & State Green Infrastructure Parks & Trails Complete Streets SB Green Corps Transportation Alternatives Priority Projects Climate Action Plan Solar PV Installations Efficient Streetlights South Bend Green Corps 2019 Climate Change Focus Path to Climate as a Priority •2015 -Federal policy shift, “We’re Still In”, Climate Mayors, 100% for Clean Energy Path to Climate as a Priority •2015 -Federal policy shift, “We’re Still In”, Climate Mayors, 100% for Clean Energy •2016/2018 -“1,000-year rainfall” and “2,500-year flood”, 18 months apart “Either we have run some extraordinary odds these last few years, or something is changing… For South Bend, climate issues are no longer a political football. They are an on-the-ground reality that we will need to plan for ” Mayor Pete 2018 State of the City Address Path to Climate as a Priority •2015 -Federal policy shift, “We’re Still In”, Climate Mayors, 100% for Clean Energy •2016/2018 -“1,000-year rainfall” and “2,500-year flood”, 18 months apart •2018 -Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy –commitment to a framework Global Covenant of Mayors •Commitment not just agreement •7,400 local govts from 121 countries •2nd in Indiana (1st to inventory) •Steps ❑Commit ❑Perform community GHG Inventory ❑Set emissions reduction targets ❑Make a plan to reach reduction targets •Evaluate climate vulnerability •Improve access to sustainable energy Contact the Office Therese Dorau Director, Office of Sustainability (574) 235-9323 tdorau@southbendin.gov www.southbendin.gov/ sustainability www.facebook.com/ sustainsb Twitter: @SustainSB