City of Alexandria Recognized for Commitment to Addressing Climate Change
ALEXANDRIA, VA–The City of Alexandria and its Eco-City initiative ranked sixth on a list of 131 cities working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Southeast Climate Commitment Index, created by the nonprofit group Community Sustainability USA, recognizes the City’s accomplishments and efforts to address climate change. The list ranks cities and counties with populations above 50,000 in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida.
The City’s inclusion is aligned with its strong commitment to greenhouse gas reduction, as outlined in its Environmental Action Plan 2030, the City’s blueprint for creating a thriving, sustainable community. The plan has guided Alexandria’s major achievements in greenhouse gas reduction efforts, which include transit and public transportation options, green building policy, increased efficiency of City buildings, participation in the Solarize program, and retrofitting 100% of City traffic signals with LED technology. The City conducted greenhouse gas inventories in 2005, 2012, and 2015—the most recent survey showed a 22% emissions reduction, per person, since 2005.
The Environmental Action Plan, adopted in 2009, is currently being updated by City staff, the Environmental Policy Commission, and the community. The revised plan will include new goals for City operations, community participation, green buildings, land use, recycling, transportation alternatives, and reducing stormwater pollution and environmental impacts on the sanitary sewer system.
To read the Southeast Climate Commitment Index report, and to learn more about the Environmental Action Plan update and how you can contribute to the City’s sustainability efforts, visit alexandriava.gov/Eco-City.
