The Partnership for a Green City

Climate Action Report

The Partnership for a Green City is the first of its kind in the country and represents a collaborative effort to improve environmental education, environmental health, and environmental management by three of Louisville's largest public entities: Louisville Metro Government, the University of Louisville, and the Jefferson County Public Schools. It began in August 2004, as a major step toward overcoming challenges to Louisville's environmental practices. Together, the partner agencies employ some 26,000 people, enroll 120,000 students, own more than 500 buildings, 7,000 vehicles, and 25,000 acres of land in Louisville Metro. Through the coordination of efforts and cooperation, the Partnership has been able to realize real results that will have long-term impact on the health, education, and well-being of our citizens while also improving and institutionalizing environmental practices within the organizations themselves.

One of the first tasks of the Partnership was to create a Statement of Environmental Principles, which was adopted by partner. The principles provide a foundation to increase awareness of, and identify, what each of us can do to support sustainable practices. The goal is to promote transition, through behavior change, toward an environmentally sustainable community.

The Partnership for a Green City has been described as “a model based on bottom-up collaboration, top-down support, stated goals and objectives and a focused plan of action.” The process has convened peers from each public entity to share ideas and address problems. Peer pressure, rather than top-down decision making, has produced significant changes in operating procedures within each partner. Over 150 employees participate on Partnership teams, which consult with external individuals or organizations to receive additional assistance.

Collaboration allows the partners to take advantage of resources that were previously unavailable, such as professional expertise, services and contracts. It also increases educational opportunities, creates cost-savings opportunities, and enables efficiencies of scale through collective purchasing power. Partners enable each other to expand programs and services to their constituencies and to the community in general, and to save tax dollars. The bottom line is healthier, more knowledgeable citizens and more efficient public institutions.

Contact

Brent Fryrear, CHMM
Director, Partnership for a Green City
100-G Jouett Hall
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
(502) 852-8854
brent@partnershipforagreencity.org

For website issues please contact: Brent Fryrear