MiamiDade County Steps Toward Sustainability Susannah Troner Sustainability
Miami-Dade County: Steps Toward Sustainability Susannah Troner Sustainability Program Manager Office of Sustainability 1
Early Involvement Sustainable initiatives dates back to the 1990’s: • Dual-stream residential recycling • Internal Resources Conservation Committee • Weatherization and solar hot water retrofits for low income home owners • Founding member of ICLEI (International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives) in 1993 • Urban CO 2 Reduction program and plan
Later Efforts • Adopt-a-Tree Program - 100, 000 trees • Hybrid fleets – 456 vehicles /one of largest nationally • Formation of the Climate Change Advisory Task Force • Water Conservation Program – 30 million gallons a day saved on average since 2007 • Single-Stream Residential Recycling Program – doubled in 2009 vs 2008
Renewed Focus on Emissions Global CO 2 Emissions by Sector #1 Buildings #2 Transportation #3 Industry
Renewed Focus on Emissions
Focus on Buildings Sustainable Buildings Ordinance In 2007, Ordinance 07 -65 established a Sustainable Buildings Program (SBP) for County facilities • Mandated the use of external sustainability rating system(s) o LEED silver certification - new construction projects o Basic LEED certification - remodeling/renovation projects • Applies to the design, construction, renovation and maintenance of County-owned, financed, and operated buildings.
Focus on Fuels Chicago Climate Exchange – CCX • Joined CCX in 2007 for fuel related (direct) emissions • North America’ s only active, voluntary but legally binding, market-based emissions cap and trade program • Members required to establish a baseline and each year to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to levels progressively lower than established baseline • OOS coordinates fuel consumption aggregation, emissions calculations, reporting, and audit response on behalf of all County departments
Focus on Fuels Greatest reductions 2007 to 2008 were from diesel fuel used in fleet.
Office of Sustainability (OOS) Mission - To coordinate and assist organization-wide and department-level change towards sustainable government culture, operations and service delivery. Collaboration - with County departments, other government entities, business groups, nonprofit organizations, and other partners to protect and enhance Miami-Dade’s distinctive environmental quality and livability.
OOS Currently 2009 Enhancement: • • Appointment of director Three additional staff including Water Conservation Manager (transferred from the Water and Sewer Department) Newest initiatives: • • Green. Print Sustainability Plan (community-wide focus) using ICLEI Toolkit Electricity Reduction and Efficiency Projects (including those funded by Federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant [EECBG]).
Why a Sustainability Plan? • Community-wide framework to improve quality of life and increase economic prosperity through environmental responsibility. • To tie together environmental, economic and social equity goals • To establish, reaffirm, and synchronize government and community goals, initiatives and measures • To identify performance measures and track progress and success
The Sustainability Team Sustainability Coordinator Sustainability Advisory Board (external) • Coordinate planning process • Manage writing the plan • Coordinate implementation • Participate in topic specific working groups • Brainstorm high priority issues • Develop goals • Input on strategies and initiatives • Advice on planning process Subject Matter Experts (Universities, Consultants etc) • Define high priority issues • Analyze issues and strategies as requested • Provide supporting data Sustainability Plan Interdepartmental Team (internal) • Analyze Issues • Research Best Practices • Develop goals • Develop strategies and initiatives Community Stakeholder Groups General Public • Brainstorm high priority issues • Brainstorm strategies via public outreach process • Participate in public meetings • Submit ideas online 12
Sustainability Plan Structure & Milestones Pre-Milestone Planning: Make Commitment and Organize Team Milestone 1 Conduct Sustainability Assessment Milestone 2 Set Sustainability Goals Aug ‘ 09 Nov /Dec ‘ 09 Dec/Jan ’ 09 &’ 10 Oct ‘ 11 June ‘ 10 Milestone 5 Monitor/Evaluate Progress Milestone 3 Develop Sustainability Plan Public Outreach Milestone 4 Implement Sustainability Plan Oct ‘ 10 13
Milestone #1: Assessment Report 14
Assessment Areas 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Climate Change Energy Environment Government Operations Health Public Safety Housing & Buildings 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Land Use Local Industry & Business Schools Solid Waste & Recycling Transportation Water and Wastewater 15
Example: Draft Challenges Transportation Challenge Land Use Challenge Lack of sufficient dedicated funding source to support public transportation operations and maintenance 1 in 5 acre developments outside of UDB impede preservation of farmland, open space, and critical environmental areas 16
Milestone #2: Draft Goals Areas 1. Healthy Communities 2. Vibrant Economy 3. Efficient Resource Use & Conservation 4. Responsible Land Use & Smart Transportation 5. Effective Climate Change Strategies 6. Strong Leadership, Connections & Commitment 17
Example: NYC Goals 18
Example: MDC Draft Goals Land Use Goal Transportation Goal Every resident in the County able to walk, within five minutes, to a neighborhood park or civic space Provide a public transportation system that can be the first choice for all residents (decrease reliance on single occupancy vehicles) 19
Next Steps • Complete remaining milestones - continued involvement with stakeholder groups and general public • Once Plan is completed - rigorous tracking of performance and progress on initiatives • Annual progress report • Plan update every 5 years 20
Links Green. Print Sustainability Plan http: //www. miamidade. gov/greenprint/ Miami-Dade County Office of Sustainability http: //www. miamidade. gov/oos/ County and Community – Green Info and Resources http: //www. Green. miamidade. gov
Collaboration Director – Susanne M. Torriente Executive Assistant to the Director, Grant Management and Outreach/Public Affairs • Maggie Fernandez Water Resources • Maribel Balbin Energy Efficiency, Infrastructure, and Policy • Devesh Nirmul • Albert Charles (Energy Star Portfolio Manager) Transportation, Renewable Energy, Resource Conservation • Susannah Troner Sustainability Program Assistant • Lisa Klopp
Thank You! Susannah Troner Sustainability Program Manager Transportation, Renewable Energy & Resource Conservation Miami-Dade County Office of Sustainability 305 -375 -5593 trones@miamidade. gov 23
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