What is Sustainability?

Syracuse's Sustainability Plan

The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability is in the process of developing Syracuse’s Sustainability Plan. This plan will look into the needs and the current resources of the city and create goals and initiatives to meet these needs without jeopardizing the city’s future. These goals and initiatives will not only take into consideration the city’s environment and natural resources but also focus on the city’s economical and community/societal development. The sustainability plan will serve as a guide for the city as well as the community to improve the city’s quality of life now and for generations to come.

The plan is being created because the city and those in the community who have a vested interest in creating a sustainable Syracuse realize we have to address issues concerning sustainability now. The plan will ensure that future citizens of Syracuse will have a more environmentally aware and economically aware place to call home.

The City’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (The Bureau) will head up the development of the Sustainability Plan. The Bureau will also partner with other city departments such as the Department of Public Works, the Department of Engineering, and the Transportation Department, as well as local experts from academic institutions and non-profits, to create Sustainability Advisory Committees. These committees will be topic-specific, and will advise the Bureau on goals and initiatives that should be included in the Sustainability Plan. The Bureau will also consult residents throughout the city at their neighborhood TNT meetings to seek feedback and input on creating goals and strategic initiatives to reach these goals. When the Sustainability Plan is complete, the Bureau will look to the Advisory Committees and the community to assist in the implementation of the initiatives to reach our goals.

The Sustainability plan will address five main topics: Energy & Green Building, Waste & Recycling, Natural Environment, Food Systems, and Education. Each section will list clear and measurable goals created by the Bureau, the Advisory Committees, and City residents.

We look forward to working with the community on making the Sustainability Plan a guide to Syracuse’s future.

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Currently, CCE Onondaga provides green job training in urban forestry, storm water management systems and urban agriculture; individual farm planning and business management training for new farm start ups; technical assistance to municipalities on sustainable land use practices, and, community development projects, including the Fabius Energy Steering Committee (FESC), which is focused on renewable energy technologies such as methane digestion on farms, and large and small-scale wind and biomass production.

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Currently, CCE Onondaga provides green job training in urban forestry, storm water management systems and urban agriculture; individual farm planning and business management training for new farm start ups; technical assistance to municipalities on sustainable land use practices, and, community development projects, including the Fabius Energy Steering Committee (FESC), which is focused on renewable energy technologies such as methane digestion on farms, and large and small-scale wind and biomass production.

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