Urban Sustainability Bulletin

USDN now helps partners, sustainability professionals, and our followers stay up to date with USDN members' innovations through the Urban Sustainability Bulletin, formally known as the Innovation Report. This newsletter highlights key updates from USDN as well as key accomplishments from our member communities to give you a sense of what is happening in the field of urban sustainability and particularly our four focus areas - GHG Reduction, Climate Resilience, Social Equity and Community Engagement, and Urban Sustainability.

December 2021

Social Equity and Community Engagement

Photo Credit:

Rob Smith/ecoRI News

Tempe AZ to Include Youth Voices in Climate Action Plan: Tempe AZ is updating its CAP to include agendas from businesses, youth, climate justice perspectives, and neighborhoods, with a youth agenda led by local college students.

Dubuque IA Creates Teen Resiliency Corp to Support Climate Action Work: Dubuque IA’s Teen Resiliency Corps hired local teenagers to survey local residents on energy use in their homes and get a sense of overall energy efficiency in their neighborhoods.

Providence RI Announces PVD Tree Plan: Providence RI is celebrating the release of their PVD Tree Plan, meant to address the inequality of tree and green infrastructure placement in South Providence through a community survey to help them build up their urban forests.

GHG Reduction

Photo Credit:

Conde Naste Traveler

Aspen CO Opts for Faster Climate Action Goals: Aspen CO approved updated climate action goals and a new waste reduction plan to accelerate a reduction in their GHG emissions, with targets at 63% reduction by 2030 and 100% carbon neutral by 2050.

Takoma Park MD Launches Electrification Grant Program: Takoma Park MD launched their Electrification and Energy Efficiency Grants for Everyone program to provide up to $30,000 for business and multifamily projects and $5,000 to $15,000 to homeowner projects that work to improve energy efficiency and transition away from fossil fuels.

St. Louis Park MN Offering Training to Building Operators: St. Louis Park MN is partnering with the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance to offer cost share funds to cover building operators' attendance of the Building Operator Certification training that prepares them to support greater building energy and water efficiency, with property owner permission.

Urban Sustainability

Photo Credit:

City of Philadelphia

Fodor's Travel Lists USDN Members as Most Prepared for Climate Change: Fodor’s Travel classified 7 cities as best prepared for climate change based on a criteria that highlights climate resilience including USDN members Duluth MN, Buffalo NY, Cincinnati OH, and Madison WI.

Columbus OH Operating Budget Includes Major New Investments for Sustainability: Sustainable Columbus, which is leading efforts to equitably meet their 2050 net zero carbon goal, has been allotted $10 million out of the city’s $1 billion proposed operating budget.

Philadelphia PA Releases Clean Fleet Plan: Philadelphia PA released their Municipal Clean Fleet Plan with a goal to transition around 60,000 vehicles to clean and electric vehicles.