The City of Santa Monica was named a LEED Platinum City and recognized for its sustainability and resilience achievements

Jan 20, 2022 12:49 p.m

The City of Santa Monica is proud to announce its Platinum certification under the LEED for Cities program. Created by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. With LEED for Cities, local governments like Santa Monica demonstrate leadership and accountability through city-level certification.

The City of Santa Monica received LEED Platinum certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions to improve the sustainability and living standards of Santa Monica residents. LEED for Cities evaluated the City of Santa Monica’s performance in the areas of energy, water, waste, transportation, education, health, safety, wealth and equity.

“For more than 25 years, we have harnessed the power of the community to improve our resources, prevent damage to the natural environment and human health, and promote the social and economic well-being of the community for the benefit of current and future generations. said Shannon Parry, the city’s chief sustainability officer. “This recognition is a recognition of that effort and an invitation to celebrate our achievements. It is also an opportunity to look ahead and identify new places where we can lead and create positive change with and for our community.”

Santa Monica is the first-ever city to achieve LEED for Cities Version 4.1 Platinum certification with more than 80 points. Here are the highlights of how we got there:

• Santa Monica received high scores in the Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions category for reducing emissions by 60% below 1990 levels. Santa Monica’s carbon emissions have increased since joining the Clean Power Alliance and providing 100% renewable energy for 94 percent of real estate in Santa Monica is largely reduced.

• Highlights from the Natural Systems and Ecology category include our work on an ecosystem health assessment and the distribution of green and natural spaces in our community.

• Santa Monica received high marks in transportation and land use for our intelligent transportation programs, residents’ access to public transportation, and overall distribution of public facilities.

• Santa Monica received points for each credit point in the quality of life category, with results related to educational attainment, civic participation, and community involvement standing out.

• Santa Monica received the full 10 available points in the Innovation and Regional Priorities categories; our work on the Sustainability Rights Ordinance; Ordinance on disposable catering crockery; Zero Emission Delivery Zone; and the Exposition Light Rail Project are examples of initiatives that have received recognition.

“The City of Santa Monica’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous sustainability and leadership in climate action,” said Peter Templeton, President and CEO of USGBC. “LEED for Cities was created to improve our standard of living and ensure every citizen has access to healthy, green and high-performing places and spaces. Cities and communities that receive LEED certification develop responsible, sustainable, and specific plans for green energy, water, waste, transportation, and many other factors that contribute to quality of life, such as equity, education, resilience, infrastructure, and more. Santa Monica is a prime example of how innovative planning and collaboration can help achieve sustainability and resilience goals.”

Santa Monica is the 21st local government to receive LEED for Cities Version 4.1 certification and is one of a growing group of more than 250 cities and communities participating in the USGBC’s LEED for Cities and Communities program.

In addition to LEED for Cities Platinum certification, the city of Santa Monica was recently recognized by CDP as one of 95 cities around the world as an A-List city taking bold leadership in environmental action and transparency. The CDP Cities A List was developed to encourage and support cities to step up their climate action and ambition. It is based on environmental data submitted by cities to the CDP-ICLEI Unified Reporting System.

To achieve an A, a city must publicly disclose and have a citywide emissions inventory, set an emissions reduction target and a future renewable energy target, and have published a climate action plan. It must also conduct a climate risk and vulnerability assessment and have a climate adaptation plan in place to show how it will address climate hazards. Many A-list cities are also taking a variety of other leadership actions, including making a political commitment by a city’s mayor to tackling climate change.

Santa Monica has demonstrated a climate leadership role by implementing decarbonization strategies and policies that drive electrification of buildings and vehicles and provide 100% renewable energy to Santa Monica residents and businesses.

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About the US Green Building Council

The US Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-effective and energy-efficient green buildings. USGBC works on its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, an international network of local community leaders, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools, and advocacy for public policies that encourage and enable green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About CDP

CDP is a global non-profit organization that operates the world’s environmental information system for businesses, cities, states and regions. Founded in 2000, CDP works with more than 590 investors with assets in excess of $110 trillion. The company pioneered the use of capital markets and corporate sourcing to motivate companies to disclose their environmental impact, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water resources and protect forests. Over 14,000 organizations around the world disclosed data through CDP in 2021, including more than 13,000 companies representing over 64% of global market capitalization and covering over 1,100 cities, states and regions. CDP is a founding member of the Science Based Targets initiative, the We Mean Business Coalition, the Investor Agenda and the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative. Visit cdp.net to learn more.

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Constance Farrell

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City Government, Departments, Priorities and Policies, Sustainability and Environment, Utilities

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Office for Sustainability and Environment