Charleston Green Plan

Just as 20th century Charlestonians are remembered for preserving our magnificent buildings, 21st century Charlestonians will be remembered for protecting this region’s landscape and natural systems through the Charleston Green Plan. Prosperity and sustainability go hand in hand.

Click here to view: Charleston Green Plan
Click here to view: Executive Summary - Charleston Green Plan

Update
On February 23rd, 2010 City Council received the Charleston Green Plan. They also determined that an ad hoc committee be formed by Mayor Riley in consultation with City Council. The committee will support the development of any ordinances that will need City Council approval. The City Council Citizen Sustainability Committee is coordinating the implementation of the Green Plan where new funding or new ordinances is necessary for implementation.

Message from the Mayor

As a member of the Climate Protection Task Force of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, it is my privilege to be connected to national and international efforts in which top scientists, engineers, economists, physicians, policy makers, and other experts pool their skills to address global climate protection and sustainability issues.

In 2007, City Council decided that Charleston needed its own think tank to address these issues at the local level. Though Council originally appointed 22 citizens and business leaders to create this plan, imagine our surprise and satisfaction when hundreds more people joined this group, bringing many new skills to the table.

This is the beginning of a much larger movement. Just as 20th century Charlestonians are remembered for preserving our magnificent buildings, 21st century Charlestonians will be remembered for protecting this region’s landscape and natural systems.

Charleston’s 21st century residents will also make their mark on history by creating and fueling a vibrant “green economy.” Multiple studies show that tens of thousands of new jobs can be created in South Carolina by investing in energy conservation and renewable energy. I challenge my fellow citizens to make Charleston a national leader in the effort to create green jobs. Here as elsewhere, prosperity and sustainability go hand in hand.

For myself and for City Council, I want to thank the hundreds of passionate and tireless volunteers who created this plan. Truly, in the global effort to protect the natural systems that sustain us, the first step starts at home.

Sincerely,
Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr.

---

RELATED DOCUMENTS