Sustainability
Protecting the commons is an essential part of Asheville’s character. As population increases, the strategic focus on addressing climate change, increasing energy efficiency, and educating the community is vital to Asheville’s future. As such, the City of Asheville has taken the proactive approach of crafting a community vision for a future for Asheville that is based on sustainability. A Sustainability Vision and Guiding Principles statement was developed based on facilitated discussion with the City’s Office of Sustainability, Department Directors, the City’s Sustainability Advisory Committee on Energy and Environment (SACEE), as well as information from the City Council’s 2008-2009 Strategic Plan.
There are three distinct ways in which the city of Asheville makes strides towards a green economy: a Zero Waste AVL Initiative, carbon footprint reduction, and community investment in natural assets. April 2007 marked the formal beginning of the City of Asheville’s efforts in carbon footprint reduction. At that time the City Council passed a resolution to reduce the municipal carbon footprint 2% per year until a total reduction of 80% was achieved. In 2009, the first reduction was made when the “City installed over 3,000 LED street lights, managed its water system under ISO 14001 standards for environmental management, improved the infrastructure and management of many of its buildings, and switched many employees to a 4-day work week (which saves emissions from commuting).” Due to the city’s huge success in the early stages of the program, in 2011, the bar was raised to a 4% or more reduction per year.
Beyond government initiatives and plans, Asheville community members and local business have continued to work hard to make Asheville a city that people not only want to visit, but relocate to. One such example of their combined efforts was awarded in November 2012, when Asheville became the first city in the United States to have a significant density of green certified restaurants. Touted as a “Green Dining Destination”, this accomplishment was made possible through a partnership between the Blue Ridge Sustainability Institute, the Green Restaurant Association, and Asheville Independent Restaurants (AIR). It is this mentality and desire to preserve both natural and pre-existing built assets that enables Asheville community members to support each other and keep their commons clean, safe, and enjoyable.
Beyond government initiatives and plans, Asheville community members and local business have continued to work hard to make Asheville a city that people not only want to visit, but relocate to. One such example of their combined efforts was awarded in November 2012, when Asheville became the first city in the United States to have a significant density of green certified restaurants. Touted as a “Green Dining Destination”, this accomplishment was made possible through a partnership between the Blue Ridge Sustainability Institute, the Green Restaurant Association, and Asheville Independent Restaurants (AIR). It is this mentality and desire to preserve both natural and pre-existing built assets that enables Asheville community members to support each other and keep their commons clean, safe, and enjoyable.