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Miami-Dade County:Steps Toward Sustainability

Susannah TronerSustainability Program Manager

Office of Sustainability

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 CO2 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 CO2 Emissions by Sector

#1 Buildings#2 Transportation

#3 Industry

Renewed Focus on Emissions

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10

20

30

40

50

60

2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060

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Met

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Emissions Reductions Targets vs. Business as Usual

Business As Usual

2010 Emissions

US Conference of Mayors (7% Below 1990 Levels)

20% Below 2008 Levels by 2020

80% Below 2008 Levels by 2050

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:

•GreenPrint 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

Figure 1: Three Pillars of Sustainability

The Sustainability Team

Interdepartmental Team (internal)

Sustainability Advisory Board

(external)

•Analyze Issues•Research Best Practices•Develop goals•Develop strategies and initiatives

•Brainstorm high priority issues•Brainstorm strategies via public outreach process•Define high priority issues

•Analyze issues and strategies as requested•Provide supporting data

Subject Matter Experts

(Universities, Consultants

etc)

Sustainability Coordinator

•Participate in topic specific working groups•Brainstorm high priority issues•Develop goals•Input on strategies and initiatives•Advice on planning process

Community Stakeholder

Groups

General Public

•Participate in public meetings •Submit ideas online

Sustainability Team

•Coordinate planning process•Manage writing the plan•Coordinate implementation

SustainabilityPlan

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Pre-Milestone Planning:Make Commitment and Organize

Team

Milestone 1Conduct Sustainability

Assessment

Milestone 2Set Sustainability Goals

Milestone 5Monitor/Evaluate Progress

Milestone 4Implement Sustainability Plan

Milestone 3Develop Sustainability Plan

Public Outreach

Sustainability Plan Structure & Milestones

Aug ‘09

Nov /Dec ‘09

Dec/Jan ’09 &’10

June ‘10

Oct ‘10

Oct ‘11

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Milestone #1: Assessment Report

1. Climate Change2. Energy3. Environment4. Government Operations5. Health6. Public Safety7. Housing & Buildings

8. Land Use9. Local Industry & Business10. Schools11. Solid Waste & Recycling12. Transportation13. Water and Wastewater

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Assessment Areas

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Example: Draft Challenges

Transportation Challenge

Lack of sufficient dedicated funding source to support public transportation operations and maintenance

Land Use Challenge

1 in 5 acre developments outside of UDB impede preservation of farmland, open space, and critical environmental areas

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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

Milestone #2: Draft Goals Areas

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Example: NYC Goals

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Example: MDC Draft Goals

Land Use Goal

Every resident in the County able to walk, within five minutes, to a neighborhood park or civic space

Transportation Goal

Provide a public transportation system that can be the first choice for all residents (decrease reliance on single occupancy vehicles)

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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

Links

GreenPrint Sustainability Plan http://www.miamidade.gov/greenprint/

Miami-Dade County Office of Sustainabilityhttp://www.miamidade.gov/oos/

County and Community – Green Info and Resourceshttp://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

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Thank You!Susannah Troner

Sustainability Program Manager Transportation, Renewable Energy & Resource Conservation

Miami-Dade County Office of Sustainability305-375-5593

trones@miamidade.gov