[Durham INC] Durham Debuts Sustainability Roadmap Online Dashboard

[PublicAffairs]

[Title: City of Durham Office of Public Affairs Logo]
News Media Contact
Amy Blalock, Public Affairs Manager
919-560-4123 x11253 | 919-475-7735 (mobile)
Amy.Blalock at DurhamNC.gov

News Release

For Immediate Release: November 8, 2019



Durham Debuts Sustainability Roadmap Online Dashboard

New Dashboard Tracks City's Progress Toward Sustainability Goals



DURHAM, N.C. - Wondering how the City of Durham is doing on its sustainability efforts? A user-friendly online dashboard is now available that tracks the City's progress toward achieving a healthy environment, vibrant cultural activities, and a strong, equitable economy for its residents.



The Roadmap, which was approved by the City Council in March 2018, was developed by a cross-departmental team of City employees with extensive input from Durham residents, and establishes measures and strategies across seven focus areas. Those areas are Built Environment, Climate and Energy, Economy and Jobs, Arts and Community, Equity and Empowerment, Natural Systems, and Innovation.



Residents and other users can now access the new dashboard on the City's website<https://durhamnc.gov/3852/Sustainability-Dashboard>, and view current updates on each of the measures and strategies within the Roadmap. To date, 62% of the measures and 77% of the strategies have been completed, or are on track for completion.



"We're excited to have this new online tool available to inform our residents about our sustainability efforts," said Jina Propst, interim director of the City's General Services Department. "We're committed to transparency and community engagement as we work toward a more livable city for all who call Durham home - both now and in the future."



Highlights of the City's recent sustainability efforts include:

*        Streetlights being retrofitted with energy-saving LED fixtures, and the recent purchase of 21 hybrid police vehicles.

*        1,500 new street trees being planted annually - 85% in historically under-represented neighborhoods.

*        A Participatory Budgeting Program successfully launched giving residents a voice in selecting City-funded projects to benefit their neighborhoods.

*        A Racial Equity Task Force formed, and a full-time Latino Community Engagement Coordinator hired.



The Roadmap also calls on the City to use 80% renewable energy by 2030, and 100% renewable energy by 2050 in City operations, and to achieve carbon neutrality in City operations by 2040. The City will be developing a Carbon Neutrality and Renewable Plan over the coming year to provide guidance on achieving these specific goals.



"The City takes a comprehensive approach to defining and taking action on sustainability," said Matt Kopac, chair of the Durham Environmental Affairs Board. "The new dashboard will make it easier for residents to see at a glance how the City is progressing toward meeting its goals."



For more information about the City's sustainability and energy management programs and how residents can become involved in this effort, visit the Sustainability and Energy Management webpage<https://durhamnc.gov/822/Sustainability-Energy-Management> or contact Sustainability and Energy Analyst Paul Cameron with the City's General Services Department at (919) 560-4197, ext. 21244 or Paul.Cameron at DurhamNC.gov<mailto:Paul.Cameron at DurhamNC.gov>.

About the City of Durham General Services Department
The General Services Department<https://durhamnc.gov/733/> builds and maintains City properties to make Durham a great place for people to live, work, and play. Guided by the City's Strategic Plan<https://durhamnc.gov/183/Strategic-Plan>, the department's core functions include the acquisition and sale of properties, design and management of new construction and renovation projects, building maintenance, landscaping and urban forestry services, cemeteries management, sustainability and energy management, cultural and public art program management, and supporting the nonprofit Keep Durham Beautiful<https://keepdurhambeautiful.org/>.

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[Title: City of Durham Office of Public Affairs Contact Information]


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