The Town of Ithaca has a fundamental commitment to protect and enhance economic, community, and environmental resources. Currently, the Town is focusing primarily on environmental sustainability, working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within Town operations and community-wide.

Updated April 26, 2019

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Energy and Equity on Earth Day

Happy Earth Day! This 49th anniversary of Earth Day comes at a time when recognition of the need for historic action to address climate change seems to be building every day. With versions of Green New Deals under discussion at the Federal, state, and local levels, and community interest swelling, it's a great time to read this "Energy and Equity" piece, which reminds us how crucial it is to join efforts to protect the environment with efforts to eliminate poverty and racism.

Town, City of Ithaca Release 2018 Sustainability Report

These two-page reports highlight 2018 sustainability accomplishments. Read the Town report. Read the City report.

New York City Passes Climate Mobilization Act

The nation’s largest and most economically influential city passed a historic bill Thursday capping climate-changing pollution from big buildings and mandating unprecedented cuts to greenhouse gases. Learn more.

Backup Ride Home Program Helps You Commute Without a Car

The Backup Ride Home program provides peace of mind for commuters who travel to work without a personal vehicle. Free transportation home is arranged if some-thing happens that makes your original travel plan unfeasible. Learn more.


Our Sustainability Goals

Greenhouse gas reduction goals for Town of Ithaca government operations (e.g. facilities, vehicle fleet, and water treatment):



















Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals for Town of Ithaca community (e.g. homes, businesses, and transportation community-wide):

The Town Board has endorsed sustainability and climate protection as overarching principles to guide long-term decision-making (2014 Comprehensive Plan, page 22), however the Town has not yet adopted a specific goal for reducing community GHG emissions. Current sustainability efforts are aiming to meet or exceed the ambitions of the Paris Agreement signed by nearly 200 countries, which would require a reduction in GHG emissions of 80% by 2050. The Town of Ithaca, under the direction of Supervisor Bill Goodman and the Town Board, will carry out a sustainability planning process. 

To learn more, click here.

Accomplishments to Date

In the past four years, the Town Board has taken significant action, highlighting the Town’s commitment to sustainability and climate protection:

 

  • Adopted resolution to participate in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation “Climate Smart Communities Initiative,” committing the Town to the reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adapting to climate change (April 2009)
  • Hired a Sustainability Planner in 2010 to carry out sustainability planning, goal development, and implementation (September 2010)
  
  • Became a member of ICLEI -- Local Governments for Sustainability -- joining more than 600 local governments throughout the nation who are leading the effort to envision, accelerate and achieve strong sustainability and climate protection goals (October 2010) 

Learn more about our accomplishments here.

Town Sustainability Documents

Government Energy Action Plan 2011 (Fall 2011)

Baseline 2010: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report - Community (Summer 2011)

Baseline 2009: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report - Government (Spring 2011)

A Sustainability Framework (March 2011)

Press Coverage and Awards

Press Coverage:

Ithaca's Example Toward Zero Carbon Buildings - High Performing Buildings Magazine - June 26, 2019

City and Town of Ithaca Release Draft Green Building Policy - March 14, 2018

City Officials Want You to Build Green - January 17, 2018

New Policy Aims to Encourage Energy-Friendly Projects - January 10, 2018

Tompkins County and Town of Ithaca Awarded 'Climate Smart' Status - June 21, 2017

http://www.ithaca.com/news/ithaca/tompkins-county-and-town-of-ithaca-awarded-climate-smart-status/article_d27b6baa-5698-11e7-b7db-db0630951e4a.html

DEC calls Tompkins, Ithaca 'Inspiring' for Efforts Fighting Climate Change - June 20, 2017

Governor Cuomo Names Tompkins County and Town of Ithaca New York's 12th and 14th Certified Climate Smart Communities - June 20, 2017

Signs of Sustainability 2016 - A Look Back, A Glimpse Forward - December 19, 2016

City, Town receive grant for green building policies - July 17, 2016

City and Town of Ithaca to Study Green Building Policies - July 6, 2016

Announcing $1.4 million in support of cities and sustainability through Partners for Places - May 6, 2016

Sustainability Center Moves into New Home - May 16, 2016

Energy Scores Aimed at Homebuyers - March 14, 2016

Tompkins County and City of Ithaca Launch Energize NY Finance Program - January 7, 2016   

Better Building Practices Spotlighted - September 7, 2015

Home Energy Ratings Planned - June 8, 2015

Municipalities Launch Residential Energy Score Project - May 27, 2015

Ithaca Town Hall Begins Composting Program - January 30, 2015


Signs of Sustainability 2015 - Sustainability Leadership by an Organization

Signs of Sustainability 2015 - Sustainability Leadership by an Individual

Signs of Sustainability 2013 - Local Agricultural Products Web List

Signs of Sustainability 2013 - Resilient Communities for America

Signs of Sustainability 2012 - Stream Setback Law

Signs of Sustainability 2012 - Most Secure Place to Live Award

Signs of Sustainability 2012 - Sustainability-Focused Comprehensive Plan


Our Neighbors

Sustainability in Tompkins County and Beyond

In August of 2009, Governor David Paterson signed Executive Order No. 24 setting a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in New York State by 80% by the year 2050. See what the Climate Action Council is working on to implement this ambitious goal:

NY Climate Action Planning

The Cleaner Greener Southern Tier Regional Sustainability Plan establishes 18 goals and outlines a strategy for a future that is economically prosperous, environmentally sound, and socially responsible. The plan's implementation strategy discusses 65 actions that together have the potential to reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions by over 32 percent within 20 years. 

Cleaner Greener Southern Tier Regional Sustainability Plan

Tompkins County has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions county-wide by 80 percent by the year 2050. Learn how by visiting:

Tompkins County Energy and Climate Initiative

The City of Ithaca is striving to protect the environment, to reduce energy costs, and to set a positive example to encourage others to reduce their own output of greenhouse gases. Learn more by visiting the following link:

City of Ithaca Sustainability Planning

The three higher education institutions in Tompkins County have signed onto the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment, pledging to achieve climate neutrality. See how each school is making progress on this effort by clicking on the images below:




http://sustainability.cornell.edu/
https://www.tc3.edu/campus_info/wellness.asp


http://www.ithaca.edu/sustainability/


Get Your GreenBack Tompkins is a community-initiated and community-supported campaign that works collaboratively to help people and organizations take key steps in the areas of food, transportation, waste and building energy that simultaneously reduce our community’s carbon emissions, save money and create a socially just local economy.		  http://www.getyourgreenbacktompkins.org/
Sustainable Tompkins, a citizen-based organization, has been leading the sustainability movement in the area, working towards the long-term well-being of our communities by integrating social equity, economic vitality, ecological stewardship, and personal and civic responsibility. 
The Sustainability Center provides a place where visitors can learn about our community's collective efforts to protect the environment for many generations to come. Through proactive initiatives led by community members, Tompkins County is embracing the challenges of creating a sustainable community. Local individuals, businesses, government agencies, non-profit organizations and academic institutions are focusing on critical areas such as energy, transportation, waste, and local food and are addressing the pressing issues with innovative solutions.  
http://www.sustainabilityctr.org/
The Tompkins County Climate Protection Initiative (TCCPI) is a cross-sector collaboration bringing together leaders from the business, non-profit, local government, and education sectors, whose organizations have made significant commitments to climate protection. This coalition seeks to leverage the climate action commitments made by institutions and organizations throughout the County to mobilize a countywide energy efficiency effort focused primarily on the retrofitting of buildings. In doing so, TCCPI has fostered a culture of collaboration that has led to partnerships and capacity-building among groups throughout Tompkins County.   https://www.tccpi.org/

What is Sustainability?



Click here to learn more. 

  Thank you to the Park Foundation for its generous funding of our sustainability program.
To learn more about Sustainability in the Town of Ithaca, contact Nick Goldsmith, Sustainability Planner