Fresh AIRE launched in Arlington County

Arlington County (U.S.A) recently launched Fresh AIRE: The Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissions.

A collaboration between the County government, businesses, organizations and individuals, the goal is to reduce Arlington County government’s greenhouse gas emissions by 10 % from 2000 to 2012.

Some of the key elements of the plan include:

• increasing the purchase of wind-generated electricity to 5% of the government’s total electricity use, up from the current 3%;
• installing solar energy technology in one or two county facilities;
• preparing a strategic energy plan and climate action plan for county operations and the community;
• recognizing, assisting and encouraging businesses to reduce emissions and energy needs; and
• working with other local governments through ICLEI.

The Cities for Climate Protection^TM (CCP) Campaign enlists cities to adopt policies and implement measures to achieve quantifiable reductions in local greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and enhance urban livability and sustainability. More than 650 local governments participate in the CCP, integrating climate change mitigation into their decision-making processes. For more information, please visit www.iclei.org/ccp.

Arlington County is one of 67 local governments in the U.S.A. that are currently Members of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability. For more information on ICLEI and its activities in the U.S.A., please visit www.iclei.org/usa.

Source: ‘Arlington takes on global warming’, Washington Post, 11 January 2007.