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City of Williamsburg

A Historic City’s Path to Decarbonization

Councilman Caleb Rogers

9/20/2023

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2021

Past successes, sustainable community programs
Environmental GIO

2022

“Excellence Award” in water treatment
Quantifying emissions w/ ICLEI

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3,480 MTCOe/year

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2020s → modernizing our approach

2023 GIO:

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“ Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends ”

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Sustainability project description: Carbon Emission Reduction – The City is seeking a student researcher to help develop the Strategic Targeted Action for Reduction (STAR) sustainability program. The student will be responsible for identifying sustainability changes to the physical and programmatic landscape of city government, establishing a carbon reduction for each change, and helping to define a quantified 13-step progression of carbon reduction. The STAR program is designed to be the City’s next sustainability ladder and serve as a model for other local governments to consider.

Star System
1st star achieved! → ICLEI GHG report
Remaining 12 stars are tied to GHG reduction. Example: if our goal was 100% GHG reduction a star is reducing 290 MTCO2e/year as 290*12 is 3,480
Let’s look at two examples → FROM SOPHIE’S REPORT

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Next Steps

In the immediate months…

Council settles on an emissions reduction goal

Including funding sources

Staff reports on emission strategies with highest ROI for goal achievement
Public information campaigns

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Thank you!

(757) 707-4734

crogers@williamsburgva.gov