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This resolution adopts a comprehensive set of "Green Principles" to guide the City towards environmentally sound practices, and commits the City to promote these Green Principles in policy decisions and programs. In addition, it expresses support for Mayor Michael B. Coleman to sign the U.S. Mayor's Climate Change Agreement.
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This resolution adopts a comprehensive set of "Green Principles" to guide the City towards environmentally sound practices, and commits the City to promote these Green Principles in policy decisions and programs. In addition, it expresses support for Mayor Michael B. Coleman to sign the U.S. Mayor's Climate Change Agreement.
Background: In 2005, Mayor Michael B. Coleman issued a "Get Green Columbus" memo that challenged the City to raise its environmental awareness. As a part of the Get Green Columbus initiative, a Green Team comprised of civic, business and community leaders formed, and recommended that the City adopt a holistic set of Green Principles to guide the City as it move forward into the 21st Century. In addition, this resolution expresses support for Mayor Coleman to sign the U.S. Mayors' Climate Change Agreement.
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WHEREAS, for the City of Columbus and Central Ohio to prosper in the new century, the City must ensure that its actions are environmentally responsible and sustainable; and
WHEREAS, there are many environmental challenges facing the City of Columbus, including the need to protect our air, water and land, while maintaining healthy neighborhoods and a strong economy; and
WHEREAS, to meet these challenges, in 2005, Mayor Michael B. Coleman issued the "Get Green Columbus" memo as a road map to provide Environmental Stewardship for the 21st Century; and
WHEREAS, as part of the Get Green Columbus challenge, the a Green Team compromised of civic, business and community leaders was formed; and
WHEREAS, the Green Team has recommended that the City adopt a comprehensive set of principles and values that will guide the City in promoting sustainable practices in its policies and programs; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has made significant strides in its efforts to "Get Green Columbus" which efforts include encouraging reductions in air emission through anti-idling efforts, increasing City recycling, enacting requirements for recycling for all City demolition sites; and enacting an Environmentally Preferable purchasing code; and
WHEREAS, to further the City's efforts, it is necessary to adopt a holistic set of Green Principles and Values that will guide the City in all of its endeavors; and
WHEREAS, climate change is a well documented and serious threat to the health and well being of our community and the world. In fact, climate change of the magnitude now predicted by the scientific community will cause extremely costly disruption of human and natural systems throughout the world, including increased risk of droughts and floods; increases in sea levels; and more frequent and greater concentrations of smog; and
WHEREAS, almost 400 cities in the United States have agreed to address their contribution to climate change by adopting the U.S. Mayors' Climate Change Agreement, which agreement addresses methods to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gas emissions; and
WHEREAS, City Council supports Mayor Coleman's decision to sign the U.S. Mayors' Climate Change Agreement; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1: The City of Columbus is committed to achieving an environmentally sustainable community that meets today's needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs, and accepts the responsibility to promote these Green Principles in policy decisions and programs:
1. Promote and implement environmental quality for current and future generations when making decisions regarding growth management, transportation, energy, water, air quality and economic development.
2. Provide for the needs of a growing population in a manner that enhances prosperity and sustains a diverse, resilient and healthy environment when establishing policy on land use, infrastructure development, open space preservation, healthy lifestyles, preservation of natural resources, growing food locally, and the greening of the city through tree planting and parks development. Prioritize the impact of regional consequences and opportunities.
3. Strengthen economic vitality and economic security within the community through environmentally based policies that create jobs, promote entrepreneurship, and expand green business opportunities. Promote products and services that enhance environmental, social and economic vigor by adopting and implementing sustainable procurement practices. Utilize research & development as a vital tool in promoting green economic development, seeking advancements and break-through technologies.
4. Reduce demand for natural resources through energy efficiency, water conservation and sustainable land use. Promote construction of high-performance, green buildings based on long-term environmental impact and operating costs.
5. Promote waste management strategies that seek to reduce, reuse and recycle. Vastly improve awareness and participation in recycling programs in the community. Seek opportunities to reduce the waste stream of solid waste. Implement programs that address all forms of waste, including solid waste, wastewater and organic waste.
6. Encourage transportation and mobility alternatives that decrease use and dependence on petroleum-based fuels while improving outdoor air quality. Promote energy independence by seeking non-petroleum, renewable fuel sources. Support a variety of choices to the community that promote pedestrian access, transit, bikeways and healthy lifestyles.
Section 2: The elected officials and staff of the City of Columbus serve as Environmental Stewards and will promote these Green Principles in a manner reflecting the following Values:
1. The City leads by example in order to achieve environmental gains with lasting value while serving as a role model to the private sector and community at large. All City departments contribute resources and commit to the stewardship role.
2. Awareness, education and environmental literacy are essential components of all implementation plans related to sustainable strategies. The City is committed to engaging the community, including non-native English speaking groups, in raising literacy regarding solutions to these environmental, economic and social challenges.
3. Collaboration with allied organizations, including surrounding communities, will be sought to leverage positive initiatives further into central Ohio. Partnerships will be joined in order to share investment expenses and more broadly reap rewards of sustainable programs.
4. Prioritize long term and cumulative impacts in decision-making on environmental issues. Understand and make decisions that promote long-term return on investment for the City's capital spending and general procurement practices, including life-cycle costs.
5. Distribute the responsibility of environmental stewardship evenly throughout the community, because the benefits are distributed evenly. Assure fairness in how this burden is shared, mindful of economic and social circumstances.
6. Seek incentive-based strategies to promote sustainable, green practices throughout the business community and general public. Educate and inspire adherence to sound environmental practices. Balance incentive-based with standards-based, regulatory approaches.
7. Promote the highest quality of life possible for the citizens of Columbus in making all environmentally based decisions.
8. Measure results in achieving environmental quality. The Mayor's Office of Environmental Steward should report outcomes to the community annually.
Section 3: City Council recognizes the well-documented impacts of climate change on our world and supports Mayor Coleman's decision to sign the U.S. Mayors' Climate Change Agreement.
Section 4: This resolution shall take effect and be in force from the earliest period allowed by law.