Broward County Announces New Climate Change Leader Emerald Award
Broward County is requesting applications for the new Climate Change Leader Emerald Award. The Emerald Award Program is designed to recognize businesses, government, individuals, or organizations in Broward County demonstrating a commitment to protecting and preserving our environment. This new category recognizes facilities, businesses, and government entities that have made great strides in addressing global climate change. It recognizes best practices from private and public organizations that demonstrate measurable activities that achieve operational and community benefits including the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the promotion of behavioral change to employees and customers. For more information visit www.broward.org/pprd/emeraldaward.htm.
Green Efforts in Broward County Operations Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
A recently released environmental report finds that Broward County government exceeded its annual reduction goal of greenhouse (GHG) gas emissions carbon footprint -- in 2008 with an estimated reduction of 10,184 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalence (eCO2). This exceeds the target of 6,389 tonnes per year established by the Broward County Climate Change Government Operations Workgroup. More...
Broward County Joins WasteWise
Broward County Government has joined the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) WasteWise program, a voluntary partnership program that seeks to reduce solid waste through innovative waste prevention and recycling techniques. The program asks that residents do what they can to prevent waste, use only the material needed to get the job done. More....
Broward County wins EPA's Change the World Start with Energy Star Campaign
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Broward County is the top winner in the Government category for EPA’s Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR® campaign, a national campaign encouraging all Americans to join with millions of others and take small, individual steps that make a big difference in the fight against climate change. More....
Climate Change is a Worldwide Concern
Climate change (also known as global warming) has emerged as a phenomenon of critical concern worldwide. In response to well substantiated and compelling scientific evidence supporting the validity and urgency of climate change and the public's desire for action, a political environment has been created for local, state, and federal lawmakers to press for real changes in public policy related to energy consumption/climate change.
Broward County, the Florida Legislature, the U.S. Congress, and governments globally are engaged in the development of initiatives to reduce the impacts of climate change. On June 25, 2008, the Florida Governor signed into law landmark energy/climate change legislation (House Bill 7135) that will put Florida in the forefront of climate change initiatives.
Broward County Climate Change Initiatives
Resolution to Reduce Greenhouse Gases
On June 12, 2007, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners (Board) adopted Resolution 2007-391 (PDF-812 kb) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Broward County and to support the U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement. This resolution establishes the Board's commitment to climate change protection and creates a framework to guide the planning and implementation of related measures.
Adoption of Broward County Government Operations Climate Change Report
Consistent with the commitments under Resolution 2007-391 (PDF-812kb), the first Broward County action to carry out the mandate of the resolution was to create a Climate Change Government Operations Workgroup to develop an action plan and provide recommendations on GHG reduction strategies. On June 24, 2008 the Broward County Government Operations Climate Change Report was accepted by the Board. This Report includes a review of potential climate change related impacts; a government operations GHG emissions reduction goal; a baseline year GHG emissions inventory; reporting of early voluntary actions already implemented towards the reduction target; and recommendations on GHG emission reduction strategies for future consideration.
Creation of a Climate Change Task Force
On June 24, 2008, the Broward County Board of County Commissioners approved Resolution 2008-442 (PDF- 814 kb) creating a Climate Change Task Force to develop recommendations for a coordinated countywide strategy in mitigating the causes, and addressing the local implications, of global climate change.
The Task Force members have been appointed by the Board and they will be supported by County staff. The duties and responsibilities of the Task Force have been determined. Subcommittees have been identified and their mission statements drafted. A meeting schedule has been posted.
Reducing GHG emissions is an important component to Broward County's overall commitment to a healthy, sustainable environment. Broward County is already committed to reducing GHG emissions from County operations to 7 percent below 1997 levels by the year 2015. This Task Force will assist residents, businesses and organizations to set similar goals and strategies as the County faces the challenges of climate change.
Documents created in a portable document format (PDF) require PDF reader software. Acrobat Reader is available from Adobe Systems, Inc. at no cost. To obtain a copy visit the Adobe web site.
