 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 August 22, 2021 On May 20, the Town of Ithaca, in partnership with HeatSmart Tompkins and Get Your GreenBack Tompkins, hosted a webinar about its Campaign for Clean Heating, which helps homes and businesses reduce costs and improve comfort by offering free assessments for energy improvements, access to pre-vetted installers, and financial incentives. The following webinar documents are available at TOI Campaign for Clean Heating Webinar : For additional information, contact Nick Goldsmith, Sustainability Planner, at ngoldsmith@town.ithaca.ny.us.Town of Ithaca Adopts Green New Deal In March 2020, the Town of Ithaca adopted a Green New Deal resolution by unanimous vote of the Town Board. The main goal of the Town's Green New Deal is to achieve an equitable transition to carbon-neutrality Town-wide by 2030. The Town also set two goals for its own operations to be met by 2025: to meet the electricity needs of Town government operations with 100% regionally sourced renewable electricity and to reduce emissions from the Town fleet of vehicles by 50%. You may download the resolution here. Our Sustainability GoalsGreenhouse gas reduction goals for Town of Ithaca government operations (e.g. facilities, vehicle fleet, and water treatment):The
Town of Ithaca's Green New Deal resolution sets two goals for government operations:
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals for Town of Ithaca community (e.g. homes, businesses, and transportation community-wide): The Town of Ithaca's Green New Deal resolution sets the goal of achieving an equitable transition to carbon-neutrality Town-wide by 2030. It has not been determined what level of GHG offsets will be allowed to reach carbon-neutrality. The Town has committed to the following equity principles in the implementation of the Green New Deal:
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Learn more about our accomplishments here.
Green New Deal - Resolution (March 2020)
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
DEC calls Tompkins, Ithaca 'Inspiring' for Efforts Fighting Climate Change - 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
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
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 BeyondIn 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:
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:
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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. | 
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| 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. |  |
What is Sustainability?
