To establish a full-time Sustainability Director position and develop, adopt, and begin implementation of a climate action plan addressing energy, land use, transportation, waste, and water.

Lessons learned about tools and tactics through the project that other sustainability directors could use to advance their work.

It is important to ensure a team-based approach to the work with stakeholders ranging from city staff to residents to funders. For example, energy contracts are completed only with the collaboration of various city departments (such Public Works, Development Services, Management and Budget, and Corporation) and stakeholders (outside consultants and industry experts). In the area of water, the Retain the Rain program was a culmination of efforts led by the Sustainability Office, but supported by UConn (CIRCA, CLEAR, and NEMO) and the local water utility.

Lessons for developing a collaborative process between a local government sustainability director and local place-based foundation(s).

Strong backing from a city’s Mayor and the local foundation community is an essential component of efforts to convene and collaborate with stakeholders.