The Sustainability Institute

Cities across the nation have adopted initiatives to raise awareness, enhance environmental accountability, and combat the ill effects of global warming. Whether due to public appeal, improved quality of life or just plain necessity, the movement to become green and capture sustainable practices has taken hold and is quickly becoming a leading concept in government, business and society alike.

The Charleston Green Committee is well underway in developing a comprehensive plan to address the future of the City – Charleston’s First Local Action Plan for Climate Protection and Sustainability. The Green Committee’s five working subcommittees, Energy, Transportation, Buildings, Land-use & Planning, and Waste Management & Recycling, have the task of developing goals and recommendations to green the City of Charleston, reduce emissions levels, and promote sustainable growth and development. The recommendations currently being crafted will include GHG reduction metrics and target levels over time and evaluation of quality of life improvements, as well as the specific policies and programs necessary to see the initiative through.

The subcommittees’ work will come together as the primary components of the Local Action Plan. Each subcommittee is focusing on discreet issues but recognizes the intense degree of overlap, and the final report will show the integrative approach and didactic strategies necessary to pursue sustainable development. The vision of the Green Committee is to create a plan that will be a guide to integrating sustainability and environmentally sound practices into current activities and future development; as well as serve as a model for other coastal cities faced with threats of global warming, sea level rise and environmental devastation.

The Green Committee enjoys strong support from many visionary and technical participants, including staff and executive members of SCE&G, representatives of several alternative energy groups, Johnson Controls, the USGBC, AIA, Coastal Conservation League, The Sustainability Institute, The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, Charleston County Solid Waste and Recycling, the College of Charleston, MUSC, CARTA, as well as the small business community, the building industry, and a dedicated constituency of Charleston City Staff.

To learn more about how you can get involved or more about Charleston's Green Initiative, visit: www.charlestongreen.us

In response to the recent coalescence of a variety of waste management issues, Charleston County Council has initiated the creation of a Green Ribbon Committee and issued an RFP for a waste management consultant. The Green Ribbon Committee will have the job of working with the public and with the consultant to develop policies and programs to implement a comprehensive set of reductive waste management strategies. The consultant has been asked to make a true assessment of Charleston County Solid Waste operations, conduct an audit of the County’s waste stream, and present options and strategies to reduce waste and increase recycling and recovery. Application to participate in the Green Ribbon Committee is due by September 15th.

County Council Directive to Form the Green Ribbon Committee >>>

July 24th North Charleston City Council approved the City’s new Comprehensive Plan which documents the vision for the future, and a policy guide for achieving that future vision. This latest Comprehensive Plan includes measures to increase the sustainability of city operations and grow green industries. North Charleston is in a unique position to become a leader in sustainable urban growth and development as it continues to push forward with large scale redevelopment in many parts of the city and expanding its reaches under the leadership of Mayor Keith Summey.