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 [email protected]
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!