First Climate Smart Communities Progress Report Details
Dutchess County’s Momentum toward Elite Certification
Poughkeepsie, NY … Today is Earth Day, an annual celebration honoring achievements of the environmental movement. Residents can learn about Dutchess County’s environmental work in a new report issued by Dutchess County’s Climate Smart Communities Task Force – the first-ever Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Progress Report. This new report was produced in partnership by the County’s Department of Planning and Development and the County’s CSC Task Force, and provides a comprehensive overview of Dutchess County’s strides to create a greener, more resilient future, including current initiatives as well as longstanding efforts to preserve the environment.
Dutchess County Environmental Program Director and Climate Smart Coordinator Devin Rigolino said, “Dutchess County’s longstanding commitment to environmental preservation has evolved into a robust strategy encompassing both climate adaptation and mitigation. Through the dedication of our Task Force volunteers, employees and County leaders, we’ve made significant progress in advancing our sustainability goals, and this inaugural progress report is a testament of our collective efforts.”
Dutchess County is currently in the process of applying for Silver Certification through New York State’s CSC program, which helps local governments take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate through myriad sustainability initiatives. Based on its long legacy of environmental preservation and protection initiatives, Dutchess County is already certified as a Bronze Climate Smart Community, one of just 11 New York counties to reach this certification level.
Silver certification is currently the highest CSC certification level in New York State and Dutchess County is on track to become just the fifth county to achieve this milestone certification. To quality for Silver certification, a minimum of six “priority actions” must be completed and a minimum of 300 points are required. When the County’s final Silver certification application is submitted this summer, the County expects to have up to 10 priority actions completed (five are currently complete) and up to 350 points earned (263 are currently complete). Actual points can vary pending DEC review and approval.
Recent actions completed include the release of the County’s new Natural Resources Inventory website and Environmental Mapper application, highlighting the County’s proactive approach to land-use planning and natural resource conservation, as well as the publication of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) Inventory for County Government Operations: Baseline 2019, which provides a detailed profile of emissions sources within County Government, based on an array of stringent, best-practices criteria.
Other work underway includes a Community-wide GHG emissions inventory, a fleet electrification study for Dutchess County Public Transit, and a climate vulnerability assessment of the Country’s transportation system, “Resilient Ways Forward,” along with several other initiatives. These projects build off the County’s established efforts including the triannual Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling events, Earth Day education events, backyard composter sales and recycling education, ongoing energy efficiency modifications, and much more.
A presentation about the County’s new progress report and recent environmental initiatives was made at the Dutchess County Legislature’s Environmental Committee meeting earlier this month. The presentation can be viewed online.
Dutchess County Legislator and CSC Task Force Member Lisa Kaul said, “I highly recommend you take the time to read the Climate Smart Communities Progress Report. It has helpful, informative links where you can learn so much about Dutchess County and you will be incredibly proud of all of the people who are doing amazing work.”
The County’s planning department is involved in many continuous programs and projects related to preparing for and lessening the impacts of climate change. Additional information on Dutchess County’s environmental initiatives, including ongoing projects, is available on the County’s Environment webpage.
