Transcript here - Future Is Now Foundation

State of America’s Cities: Sustainability
Presentation for1000 Friends of Florida and The Future is Now
Foundation Webinar Series
September 22, 2011
• National League of Cities: www.nlc.org
• Center for Research and Innovation,
Sustainability Program:
www.nlc.org/sustainability
• @NLCgreencities
www.nlc.org
2010 Sustainability Survey
First NLC survey on
sustainability
Summer and fall of 2010
E-mails to 1708 mayors
Responses from 442 cities
(26%)
www.nlc.org
Objectives of Survey
• Internal Approach to Sustainability: How are
cities Defining, Prioritizing, Organizing ?
• What are the key motivators and barriers or
challenges to sustainability?
• What actions, programs, or policies are cities
pursuing to achieve sustainability goals?
www.nlc.org
Defining
What components are within your city’s definition of or
approach to sustainability?
www.nlc.org
Prioritizing
What is your city’s position on sustainability?
City Position
(percent)
Leading priority throughout
all city activities
13%
Important factor in developing
long-term goals
44%
One of many goals
but not a separate priority
35%
Not addressed but interested
5%
Not addressed and not a priority
3%
www.nlc.org
Prioritizing
What is your city’s position on sustainability?
City Position
(percent)
Leading priority throughout
all city activities
13%
Important factor in developing
long-term goals
44%
One of many goals
but not a separate priority
35%
Not addressed but interested
5%
Not addressed and not a priority
3%
www.nlc.org
Financing
What impact has the economic recession had on your
city’s willingness to financially invest in sustainability
work?
www.nlc.org
Financing
Of those who reported an increase or no impact to
investment, what were the motivating factors?
Potential for financial savings
60%
Funding received through ARRA
55%
Concern for the environment
40%
Potential to attract investment
28%
Concern for climate change
20%
Internal pressure (leaders, staff)
17%
External pressure from public
16%
www.nlc.org
Motivating Factors
How significant have the following factors been to
prompting your city’s work in sustainability?
Concern for the environment
Potential for long-term financial savings
Potential for short-term financial savings
Potential to attract outside investment
89%
88%
83%
74%
Concern for climate change
Potential to attract new residents
Internal pressure (leaders, staff)
External pressure from public
59%
57%
55%
57%
Sum of factors rated “significant”, “very significant”, or “extremely significant”
www.nlc.org
Barriers/ Challenges
How significant have the following factors been in
deterring your city’s work in sustainability?
Lack of funding
Lack of staff capacity
86%
77%
Lack of support from private sector 40%
Sum of factors rated “significant”, “very significant”, or “extremely significant”
www.nlc.org
Barriers/ Challenges
How significant have the following factors been in
deterring your city’s work in sustainability?
Areas reported as having limited to no significance:
Opposition from community based groups/organizations 92%
Lack of support from nonprofit sector
76%
Lack of leadership or support from elected officials
71%
Lack of community awareness or support
67%
Lack of information to get started
65%
www.nlc.org
Energy
Availability of programs/policies to promote energy efficiency and
conservation:
Municipal:
Energy conservation strategy (buildings) 81%
Street/traffic lights
79%
Purchase/produce renewable energy
42%
Residential:
Education/Awareness 56%
Energy audits
30%
Financing incentives 30%
Green Building Codes 25%
Commercial:
Green Building Codes 25%
Financing incentives 18%
www.nlc.org
Land Use
Availability of specific land use policies/ programs:
www.nlc.org
Water
Availability of programs/policies to promote energy efficiency and
conservation:
Public education campaigns 76%
Land-use and building requirements to minimize runoff 67%
Volume-based pricing of water 60%
Sewer separation 59%
Green infrastructure policies, programs, or incentives 43%
Water reclamation and/or gray water re-use programs 31%
Residential rebates and incentives 29%
Combined sewer overflows 22%
Seasonal water rates 15%
www.nlc.org
Food
Availability of specific food-related policies/ programs:
www.nlc.org
Opportunities
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•
•
•
•
•
•
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Incorporate sustainability goals/ principles throughout internal operations
and across city departments
Build and strengthen partnerships; for example - private sector, universities,
utilities, regional bodies, community groups, non-profits, local businesses
Benchmark and measure progress – report out!
Green Building Codes (25%)
Pay as you throw (17%)
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) policies (32%)
Green Infrastructure (43%)
Complete Streets policies (32%)
Food: Farm to School (7%); Food Policy Councils (6%); Healthy corner
stores (8%)
www.nlc.org
Thank You!
Tammy Zborel
Senior Associate, Sustainability Program
Center for Research and Innovation
National League of Cities
[email protected]
Learn more: www.nlc.org/sustainability
Follow: @NLCgreencities
Register today for NLCs
Green Cities Conference
Phoenix, Ariz. November 10-12
www.nlc.org/green-cities
(advanced rates end September 30th!)
www.nlc.org