Flagstaff, AZ Sustainability Commission
Type: Program
Status: Ongoing
Source File: http://flagstaff.az.gov/index.asp?NID=599
Description:
General Overview
The Sustainability Commission consists of seven Council-appointed citizens. The commission is responsible for recommending and coordinating activities in concert with the Flagstaff sustainability program, the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, and other sustainability initiatives. Among the Commission's directives are the promotion of sustainable practices in all spheres of life and educating Flagstaff citizens.
To accomplish these objectives, the commission will address but is not limited to:
- Climate and air quality
- Transportation
- Energy
- Solid waste and toxic substances
- Water, wastewater, and stormwater
- Sustainable building and purchasing practices
- Sustainable economic development
Commission meetings are open to the public. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month at 4:30 pm in Flagstaff City Hall.
Commission Projects
The Commission is currently working with the Sustainability Program Staff on the following projects:
- Community recommendations for the Sustainability Plan
- Sustainability outreach and education campaigns
- Earth Day event organization
- Adopt an Avenue clean-up
Sustainability Guiding Principles
1. The long-term impacts of policy choices will be considered to ensure a sustainable legacy - Flagstaff is committed to meeting its existing needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The long-term impacts of policy choices will be considered to ensure a sustainable legacy.
2. Protection, Preservation, and Restoration of the Natural Environment is a High Priority of the City - The City will lead by example and encourage other community stakeholders to make a similar commitment to the environment.
3. Environmental Quality, Economic Health and Social Equity are Mutually Dependent - Sustainability requires that our collective decisions as a City allow our economy and community members to continue to thrive without destroying the natural environment upon which we all depend.
4. All Decisions Have Implications to the Long-term Sustainability of Flagstaff - The City will ensure that each of its policy decisions and programs are interconnected through the common bond of sustainability.
5. Community Awareness, Responsibility, Participation and Education are Key Elements of a Sustainable Community - The City will be a leader in educational opportunities to support community awareness, responsibility and participation in cooperation with schools, colleges and other organizations in the community.
6. Flagstaff Recognizes Its Linkage with the Regional, National, and Global Community - Local environmental, economic and social issues cannot be separated from their broader context.
7. Those Sustainability Issues Most Important to the Community Will be Addressed First, and the Most Cost-Effective Programs and Policies Will be Selected - The financial and human resources, which are available to the City, are limited. The evaluation of a program's cost-effectiveness will be based on a complete analysis of the associated costs and benefits, including environmental and social costs and benefits.
8. Cross-sector Partnerships Are Necessary to Achieve Sustainable Goals - Threats to the long-term sustainability of Flagstaff are multi-sector in their causes and require multi-sector solutions.