Environment – Page 2

Resource Innovation Campus (RIC)

Problem

The Phoenix City Council has set a goal of Zero Waste by 2050, with an interim goal of diverting from the landfill 40% of trash generated in Phoenix by 2020. Through a partnership with Arizona State University’s Resource Innovation and Solutions Network, the City is focused on creating value and economic development opportunities from solid waste streams.

Solution

Repurposing existing resources, rather than mining non-renewable resources is a sustainable smart investment. To achieve Zero Waste, Phoenix is developing the Resource Innovation Campus. Located on approximately 40 acres of land adjacent to the City’s 27th Avenue Transfer Station, the RIC is key to “transforming trash into resources,” diverting materials from Phoenix’s waste stream to grow a circular economy that supports manufacturing innovation and job growth. The Campus attracts innovators with manufacturing processes and conversion technologies to use trash as a resource. These innovators are also fueling the generation of new manufacturing jobs at the RIC and throughout the community.

Climate Prep for those in Need: Preventing Emergencies During Climate Crises through Vulnerable Resident Outreach

Problem

During Hurricanes Sandy and Irene, Princeton’s emergency response systems were bombarded by calls and struggled to keep up with requests for assistance. A large volume of emergency requests came from vulnerable community members whose situations became emergencies due to storm-related impacts. For example, residents who are dependent on electricity for their oxygen delivery systems developed emergency needs when their power went out. If vulnerable individuals are not able to get the medications, equipment, or the special care they need, they can be at increased risk of complications and even death during an emergency.

Solution

Princeton is conducting a series of activities to proactively prepare for the needs of vulnerable citizens during extreme weather, including:
• Table top exercises for emergency personnel and institutional partners to identify vulnerable community members and improve response
• Integrate data collection to create a single repository for information about vulnerable populations; Create processes for this information to be up-to-date, secure, and utilized by first responders and personnel in times of need and compliant with health privacy laws
• Carry-out a public education campaign to educate community members on climate emergency preparation
• Strengthen outreach support systems through existing neighborhood support groups

Concord, NH Ready for 100% Clean Energy

Problem

Climate change presents a variety of challenges to public health, the built environment, ecosystems, and cultural resources. In New Hampshire, climate change impacts include increased risks for asthma and other respiratory diseases, sea level rise that effects our coastal communties, more frequent and powerful storms, a steep decline in our moose population as a result of the proliferation of ticks, and the negative economic impacts on industries such as maple sugaring and winter sports. The significant reduction of carbon pollution is essential to meet these varied challenges.

Solution

Ready for 100 sets the goal of a community transition to 100% clean energy sources by 2050. This ambitious program will address climate change’s impacts on health, tourism, and natural disasters on a community level. In addition, the transition creates economic opportunities and job creation impacts by moving from a high carbon to a low carbon economy, and helps ensure Concord can be a leader in innovation. We established the Concord Energy and Environment Committee (CEEC) to foster community involvement and innovation in meeting energy and environmental goals. CEEC will lead The Ready for 100 campaign and expand the involvement of business and community leaders in this effort.

HeatReady Phoenix

Problem

In 2007, Phoenix experienced 30 days of temperatures of 110 degrees or higher, a record that was matched in 2011 and 2016. During the past 20 years, the average nighttime temperature has increased by nine degrees. According to our research partners at Arizona State University, temperatures will continue to rise. Heat is both a public health and an equity challenge, disproportionately impacting low-income residents, seniors and people of color. Each year, 1,700 Arizonans visit the emergency room or are hospitalized for heat-related illnesses. In 2018, there were 182 confirmed heat-related deaths in Metropolitan Phoenix, according to our partners at Maricopa County Department of Public Health.

Solution

The first of its kind in the nation, HeatReady Phoenix is a platform to help identify, mitigate, track, and respond to the dangers of rising urban heat. This platform focuses on infrastructure, public transportation, housing, and shade, among other areas. Examples of prototypes tested include: a volunteer-led tree planting and maintenance program; volunteer outreach to connect low-income transit users to support during extreme heat events; the piloting of a misted bus shelter; removing regulatory barriers for manufactured shade in the right of way, among others. In collaboration with researchers at Arizona State University, we are developing a heat exposure simulation model that uses data to inform heat mitigation investment.

Resilient Zoning Code for a Coastal Community

Problem

Norfolk, a community with 144 miles of coast line, home to the largest naval base in the world and one of the busiest seaports in the country, is experiencing sea level rise, sinking land and more intense precipitation events, a combination which requires us to actively address flooding. Because of climate change, we are now planning for 1.5’ of sea level rise by 2050, 3’ by 2080 and 4.5’ by 2100. Tidal flooding is now regularly inundating areas, even on sunny days, referred to now as “nuisance flooding.” Because of climate change and increased and more intense precipitation, “rain bombs” are now dumping inches of rain in a short period of time, creating chaos and flooding that damages our structures.

Solution

Recognizing that Norfolk needs to learn to “live with the water,” we updated our zoning code to encourage and require flood-resilient development:
• elevated building requirements (between 16” to 3’ above base flood elevation)
• a Coastal Resilience Overlay (limited parking and impervious pavement, additional landscaping and open space); Upland Resilience Overlay (reduction of resilience requirements allowed in exchange for placing conservation easements on higher-risk properties)
• a “Resilient Quotient,: a point-based system for new development to mitigate risk (e.g. impact resistant roof and windows, storm shutters), sustainable energy (e.g. wiring for solar panel or generator); and stormwater (holding water on site after precipitation).

The Sustainable Investing Act

Problem

Sustainable investing reverses the trend of focusing narrowly on financial results and instead takes a holistic view of investment. This is appropriate given the wide range of risks from climate change and other social factors that have and will continue to impact corporate performance. More than four-fifths of companies anticipate being impacted by climate change. Impacts will be felt across industries in a variety of ways, from logistics interruptions to increased operating costs to more limited resource availability and stranded assets. With a sustainable investment policy, public fund managers will not be caught between their responsibility to maximize investment returns and their responsibility to be good stewards of their communities.

Solution

Investment policy can align financial interests to address climate risks. By integrating relevant factors into decision-making, public fund managers minimize risk, maximize returns and meaningfully impact corporate, social and environmental outcomes. This Act codifies sustainable investing as a best practice. It enhances fund managers’ ability to fulfill their fiduciary duties by improving portfolio performance while benefiting our communities and the world by investing with regard for climate risks and social impacts. From our framework, public fund managers can develop tailored sustainable investment policies along with the specified factors for consideration, including climate and environmental risks, social impacts and firm governance.

Sustainable Communities

Problem

People in working-class communities make the biggest investments of their lives when buying homes or starting small businesses. But most people’s credit is limited, so expensive sustainable building practices are not an option, and their community misses out on a clean energy infrastructure. At the same time, federal and state officials have left it it up to counties, cities, and towns to address climate change in the aggregate. This community-based initiative removes barriers to sustainable building practices in emerging communities by leveraging federal regulations for bank loan portfolios, thereby leading to increased property values for residents, increased local tax revenues for municipalities, and a sustainable future for all.

Solution

Sustainable Communities brings together local government, a community bank or credit union, and a home or small-business owner to implement a sustainable infrastructure project (such as solar panels or geothermal heat). The individual benefits from government-backed credit at low interest rates, the bank meets federal regulations to maintain secure government-backed loans in its portfolio, and the community sees returns from the increased value of the sustainable project in property tax revenue. With the sustainable project in place, the property owner receives a return on their investment and decreased overhead from lower energy costs, and the entire community and region lower their use of fossil fuels.

Resource Innovation Campus (RIC)

Problem

Solution

Climate Prep for those in Need: Preventing Emergencies During Climate Crises through Vulnerable Resident Outreach

Problem

Solution

Concord, NH Ready for 100% Clean Energy

Problem

Solution

HeatReady Phoenix

Problem

Solution

Resilient Zoning Code for a Coastal Community

Problem

Solution

The Sustainable Investing Act

Problem

Solution

Sustainable Communities

Problem

Solution

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