SUSTAINABILITY IN FLORIDA A COUNTY PERSPECTIVE Florida Association

SUSTAINABILITY IN FLORIDA A COUNTY PERSPECTIVE Florida Association of Counties May 5, 2016

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Background: Purpose • Assess the level of sustainability across the state of Florida • Capture a snapshot of county level sustainability accomplishments to date • Enable county leaders to benchmark with their peers and identify action steps to move forward

Background: Scorecard Benchmarks Charlotte-Mecklenburg Sustainability Report Card Sustainable Santa Monica Report Card Sustainable Florida’s scorecard was created after identifying other sustainability report cards as national best practices

Background: Florida Report Cards Florida Chamber of Commerce Scorecard Six Pillars • County by county scoring has been done before • Our initiative attempts to follow their lead Green Schools Network Dashboard

Our Process: Data Collection • Each county’s website was reviewed to determine how sustainability efforts were communicated • Following the online review, county representatives were contacted directly • Counties were then given a chance to review their results and provide supplemental information

Our Process: Scorecard Checklist

Our Process: County Characterizations Sustainable Florida developed a continuum of progress that can be made with sustainability planning, implementation, and reporting Unconfirmed No Plans or Programs Beginning (1 -6 Points) These counties did not respond to calls, voicemails, and messages. These counties stated they did not have any official plans or programs regarding sustainability. County sustainability efforts were characterized as beginning when demonstrating informal sustainability programs and initiatives. County sustainability efforts were characterized as emerging when Emerging demonstrating visionary planning and operating under sustainable (7 -12 Points) principles, yet lacking in a sustainability plan specifically addressing all three pillars – economy, environment, and social. County sustainability efforts were characterized as progressing when Progressing demonstrating robust planning yet lacking reporting and measuring (13 -17 Points) progress against specific goals. County sustainability efforts were characterized as mature when Mature demonstrating robust planning, measuring, and reporting progress against (18 -19 Points) specific goals.

Our Process: What is a mature characterization? • A mature characterization reflects a coordinated approach to sustainability planning including the following elements: • An office of sustainability • A sustainability plan that addresses all 3 pillars of sustainability – economic, environmental and social • An implementation plan with SMART goals • A report measuring progress against the goals

Findings: County Characterization Distribution Progressing 10% Mature 1% Unconfirme d 9% No Plans or Programs 22% Emerging 31% Beginning 25% Over 2/3 of Florida counties are making headway with sustainability planning

Findings: Characterization Distribution based on Population Unconfirmed No Plans or Programs Mature 1% 4% 13% Beginning 22% Progressing 34% Emerging 26% 95% of Florida’s population lives in a county with some degree of sustainability planning.

Escambia Holmes Okaloosa Santa Rosa Jackson Walton Hamilton Gadsden Jefferson Nassau Washington Columbia Leon Madison Calhoun Duval Baker Suwannee Wakulla Bay Liberty Taylor Union Clay St. Lafayette Johns Bradford Franklin Gulf Gilchrist Alachua Putnam Dixie Flagler Levy Marion Volusia Lake Citrus Seminole Sumter Hernando Orange Pasco Florida Maps Unconfirmed No Plans or Programs Beginning Hillsborough Pinellas Osceola Polk Brevard Indian River Okeechobee Hardee St. Highlands Lucie Sarasota De. Soto Martin Glades Charlotte Palm Hendry Lee Beach Manatee Collier Broward Emerging Progressing Mature Monroe Miami-Dade

Summary: Reminders • This report should be considered a baseline report providing an initial understanding of the state of sustainability in Florida • Sustainable Florida recognizes that all sustainability is local and that priorities differ from county to county, however, effective plans include: • SMART Goals • Transparency • All 3 pillars of sustainability – economic, environmental and social • Defining, measuring and reporting progress toward goals

Summary: Looking Ahead • This report should serve as a catalyst for counties to gain support, incorporate best practices, and improve their sustainability plans. • Ideally • Counties will benchmark with their peers to learn how they can advance their sustainability efforts • Unconfirmed counties will engage in this process to ensure a more comprehensive view of sustainability in FL

Summary: Our Goals • Promote sustainable actions and development throughout Florida at the county level • Educate leaders about the possibilities for sustainability initiatives • Connect counties with one another to allow for collaboration and success • Collaborate with counties to support their improvement

www. Sustainable. Florida. org