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City Commitments & Resolutions
City Joins ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
In 2001, the city joined ICLEI (International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives), an organization working with over 600 local governments and other entities worldwide to achieve local, regional and global sustainability, energy conservation, and climate protection goals. The city is also a participating member in the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) campaign, a program - by ICLEI - designed to aid municipal governments in identifying and mitigating sources of local greenhouse gas emissions.
U.S. Mayors Climate Action Agreement
In February 2006, Ithaca joined the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (PDF) (USMCPA), along with 204 other mayors from 38 states around the country. This agreement committed the city to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution by taking action locally. Adoption of the USMCPA by the city was a significant step as the agreement outlines specific measures to be taken, and sets consistent standards and goals for participating municipalities. This agreement required and led to the development of the city's Local Action Plan.
Local Action Plan
In July 2006, Common Council adopted the Local Action Plan: to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions for City of Ithaca Government Operations (PDF). This plan aims not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also to spur the local economy by cutting energy costs as prices continue to increase over time. The plan set a greenhouse gas reduction target of 20% below 2001 levels by the year 2016 (for government operations) and presented numerous initiatives that have been, and could be, taken by the city to become more energy sustainable, including energy audits, streetlight upgrades, and more.
Energy Action Plan (EAP)
At its December 4, 2013 meeting, Common Council unanimously voted to adopt the City of Ithaca Energy Action Plan (EAP) 2012-2016 (PDF). The adopted plan includes revisions of the earlier draft, as well as appendix outlining the recommended actions needed to achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Both the revisions and the appendix were produced by a working group (formed in June 2013), including Common Council Member Jennifer Dotson and former Mayor Carolyn Peterson.
The plan contains results of the greenhouse gas emissions inventory for the year 2010 and proposes actions the city can take to reduce its emissions, including different measures to promote energy efficiency, vehicle fuel efficiency, alternative transportation, land use planning, and other strategies. Through these and other efforts, the City of Ithaca can also save money, increase its economic vitality, and improve the quality of life for its citizens. City officials and staff should continue to update this inventory, as additional data becomes available, and use these studies to evaluate and guide the city's progress in reducing its contribution to global climate change.
Climate Smart Community Pledge
In 2009, the city adopted the Climate Smart Communities Pledge (PDF), joining a state-wide effort focused on saving taxpayer dollars, while improving operations and infrastructure, increasing energy independence and security, and positioning communities for economic growth. These goals are to be obtained by decreasing the energy demand for local governments, encouraging renewable energy, innovative recycling and solid waste disposal, land-use planning, supporting a green economy, and educating the public in green practices, among other strategies.
In 2001, the city joined ICLEI (International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives), an organization working with over 600 local governments and other entities worldwide to achieve local, regional and global sustainability, energy conservation, and climate protection goals. The city is also a participating member in the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) campaign, a program - by ICLEI - designed to aid municipal governments in identifying and mitigating sources of local greenhouse gas emissions.
U.S. Mayors Climate Action Agreement
In February 2006, Ithaca joined the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (PDF) (USMCPA), along with 204 other mayors from 38 states around the country. This agreement committed the city to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution by taking action locally. Adoption of the USMCPA by the city was a significant step as the agreement outlines specific measures to be taken, and sets consistent standards and goals for participating municipalities. This agreement required and led to the development of the city's Local Action Plan.
Local Action Plan
In July 2006, Common Council adopted the Local Action Plan: to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions for City of Ithaca Government Operations (PDF). This plan aims not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also to spur the local economy by cutting energy costs as prices continue to increase over time. The plan set a greenhouse gas reduction target of 20% below 2001 levels by the year 2016 (for government operations) and presented numerous initiatives that have been, and could be, taken by the city to become more energy sustainable, including energy audits, streetlight upgrades, and more.
Energy Action Plan (EAP)
At its December 4, 2013 meeting, Common Council unanimously voted to adopt the City of Ithaca Energy Action Plan (EAP) 2012-2016 (PDF). The adopted plan includes revisions of the earlier draft, as well as appendix outlining the recommended actions needed to achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Both the revisions and the appendix were produced by a working group (formed in June 2013), including Common Council Member Jennifer Dotson and former Mayor Carolyn Peterson.
The plan contains results of the greenhouse gas emissions inventory for the year 2010 and proposes actions the city can take to reduce its emissions, including different measures to promote energy efficiency, vehicle fuel efficiency, alternative transportation, land use planning, and other strategies. Through these and other efforts, the City of Ithaca can also save money, increase its economic vitality, and improve the quality of life for its citizens. City officials and staff should continue to update this inventory, as additional data becomes available, and use these studies to evaluate and guide the city's progress in reducing its contribution to global climate change.
Climate Smart Community Pledge
In 2009, the city adopted the Climate Smart Communities Pledge (PDF), joining a state-wide effort focused on saving taxpayer dollars, while improving operations and infrastructure, increasing energy independence and security, and positioning communities for economic growth. These goals are to be obtained by decreasing the energy demand for local governments, encouraging renewable energy, innovative recycling and solid waste disposal, land-use planning, supporting a green economy, and educating the public in green practices, among other strategies.