With the start of Atlanta’s Sustainability Week, now through October 29, 2010 Mayor Kasim Reed set out a new goal for Atlanta to be a top 10 US Sustainable City. The release of Mayor Reed and the City of Atlanta’s Sustainability Plan is the first event of the city’s first Sustainability Week, which runs Oct. 25-29. Each day of the week includes daily activities and programs highlighting different focus areas of the plan, such as water quality and conservation, energy efficiency, jobs growth, local foods, and electric vehicles.
By implementing the plan the City of Atlanta will reduce toxic emissions by 25 percent and reduce energy use for existing municipal operations 15 percent both by 2020. Renewable energy will represent five percent of total municipal use by 2015.
Additionally the plan will bring local food within 10 minutes of 75 percent of all residents by 2020. “Being a more sustainable city not only protects and preserves the environment, it makes economic sense for the city,” said Mandy Mahoney, Atlanta’s first Director of Sustainability. “It helps drive financial savings and efficiency and creates jobs.” The City of Atlanta’s Office of Sustainability already has established a strong track record of success. One of Atlanta’s first wins in sustainability was to become the first city in Georgia to determine its municipal carbon footprint, which occurred in 2008. By 2010, Atlanta reduced its footprint by 12.5 percent.
“I believe the City of Atlanta should be a leading example of how a major urban municipality can take greater responsibility for efficient energy and water use, the conservation of green space, and the promotion of a healthier, cleaner and greener environment,” Mayor Reed said. “It is vital we take concrete, measurable actions around sustainability now to protect the future of our city.”