State of America’s Cities: Sustainability

Presentation for1000 Friends of Florida and The Future is Now Foundation Webinar Series

September 22, 2011

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• National League of Cities: www.nlc.org

• Center for Research and Innovation, Sustainability Program: www.nlc.org/sustainability

• @NLCgreencities

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2010 Sustainability Survey

First NLC survey on sustainability

Summer and fall of 2010

E-mails to 1708 mayors

Responses from 442 cities (26%)

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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?

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Defining

What components are within your city’s definition of or approach to sustainability?

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Prioritizing

City Position (percent)

Leading priority throughout13%

all city activities

Important factor in developing 44% long-term goals

One of many goals 35% but not a separate priority

Not addressed but interested 5%

Not addressed and not a priority 3%

What is your city’s position on sustainability?

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Prioritizing

City Position (percent)

Leading priority throughout13%

all city activities

Important factor in developing 44% long-term goals

One of many goals 35% but not a separate priority

Not addressed but interested 5%

Not addressed and not a priority 3%

What is your city’s position on sustainability?

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Financing

What impact has the economic recession had on your city’s willingness to financially invest in sustainability work?

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Financing

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%

Of those who reported an increase or no impact to investment, what were the motivating factors?

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Motivating Factors

Concern for the environment 89%Potential for long-term financial savings 88%Potential for short-term financial savings 83%Potential to attract outside investment 74%

Concern for climate change 59%Potential to attract new residents 57%Internal pressure (leaders, staff) 55%External pressure from public 57%

How significant have the following factors been to prompting your city’s work in sustainability?

Sum of factors rated “significant”, “very significant”, or “extremely significant”

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Barriers/ Challenges

Lack of funding 86%Lack of staff capacity 77%

Lack of support from private sector40%

How significant have the following factors been in deterring your city’s work in sustainability?

Sum of factors rated “significant”, “very significant”, or “extremely significant”

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Barriers/ Challenges

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%

How significant have the following factors been in deterring your city’s work in sustainability?

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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%

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Land Use

Availability of specific land use policies/ programs:

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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%

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Food

Availability of specific food-related policies/ programs:

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Opportunities

• 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%)

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Tammy ZborelSenior Associate, Sustainability ProgramCenter for Research and InnovationNational League of Citieszborel@nlc.org

Learn more: www.nlc.org/sustainability Follow: @NLCgreencities

Register today for NLCsGreen Cities ConferencePhoenix, Ariz. November 10-12

www.nlc.org/green-cities(advanced rates end September 30th!)

Thank You!