USGBC Louisiana Advocacy Meeting Minutes
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Powered by AIThe STAR Community Index, as discussed in the meeting, integrates with local sustainability goals by providing a framework to measure a community's environmental, economic, and social sustainability. This framework, led by ICLEI, USGBC, and the Center for American Progress, is intended to serve as a planning tool for local governments to track their progress in sustainability. Aaron Lande from USGBC's national policy office emphasized that while community groups might help kickstart initiatives, it is ultimately the responsibility of local governments to take the initiative to adopt the Index in their planning processes .
The committee proposed addressing job creation issues in relation to green initiatives by encouraging partnerships with businesses involved in creating green jobs. For example, they suggested that companies like South Coast Solar should become partners with GNO, Inc. to enhance their efforts in job creation linked to environmental projects. The focus was on integrating green job initiatives with broader economic development strategies .
At the USGBC Louisiana Advocacy Committee meeting, strategic alliances were formed to enhance environmental initiatives through collaborations with entities such as GNO Inc., the Horizon Infrastructure and Water Management Committees, and national policy offices like USGBC's collaborating with ICLEI and the Center for American Progress. For example, Paul Richard and Anisa Baldwin Metzger met with GNO Inc.'s CEO to discuss a partnership that could allow the Advocacy Committee to serve as a voice for alternative energy and environmental issues .
Charlie Chartier raised concerns about the rise of lawsuits related to green construction, cautioning against overpromising on what could be delivered. He highlighted the need for awareness and careful communication about the capabilities and limitations of green building projects .
Aaron Lande from USGBC’s national policy office was invited to the meeting to provide information about the STAR Community Index. His role was to explain how the Index serves as a planning tool for measuring communities’ sustainability in environmental, economic, and social dimensions, thereby facilitating a structured approach to sustainability initiatives .
Partnering with the Department of Energy (DOE) is seen as a strategic move to enhance support for green initiatives and leverage federal resources effectively. The collaboration could provide access to DOE's expertise, guidance on implementing energy-efficient practices, and potential funding opportunities. This strategic partnership aims to strengthen the region's capacity to implement and sustain green building practices aligned with policy goals .
Concerns were raised about the cap and trade system's effectiveness in creating meaningful social transformation. John Atkeison suggested 'cap and cash back' as a more agreeable alternative. This approach involves returning a portion of the revenue from carbon trading to the community, thus incentivizing broader acceptance and promoting social equity .
Anisa faced challenges in rebuilding schools to LEED Silver standards due to FEMA's hesitancy to set a precedent for such standards. Although FEMA is willing to support rebuilding, they do so only in a manner they consider 'reasonable,' which does not automatically align with LEED criteria. Anisa was exploring arguments and precedents from other cities like Charlotte and Greensboro to strengthen her case for FEMA funding support .
The steps discussed regarding New Orleans' greenhouse gas inventory report included the completion of Step 1 of the 5 ICLEI milestones, which involves conducting the inventory and forecast. Subsequent steps involve adopting an emissions reduction target for the forecast year, developing a Local Climate Action Plan, implementing policies and measures, and monitoring and verifying results. The meeting noted the importance of these steps in creating a comprehensive strategy for managing greenhouse gas emissions .
Local governments play a crucial role in the ICLEI STAR process by initiating and implementing the framework within their jurisdictions. Aaron noted that while community groups might encourage the adoption of the STAR index, it is necessary for local governments to take the lead in incorporating the framework into their sustainability planning. This underscores the importance of governmental commitment and initiative in advancing local environmental and sustainability goals .